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Winton development rejected
30.07.10
Planners have turned down proposals for "infill"
development of land behind houses in Truscott Avenue, Bingham,
Somerley and Maxwell Roads.. The move is already being hailed
as a victory for local residents over property developers.
Here is the text of the ruling:
"It is considered that the erection
of 11 dwellinghouses in the manner proposed, by reason of
the amount of development and its layout would result in
a congested form of overdevelopment which would be out of
keeping with the inherent character of the locality having
regard to the pattern of existing residential development.
It is also considered that the proposed
development on the Truscott Avenue street frontage would
result in an incongruous addition, due to its squat appearance,
harmful to the visual appearance and character of the Truscott
Avenue street scene.
In addition, by reason of the developments
scale and siting, the proposal is considered to have a significant
overbearing and oppressive visual impact upon the outlook
of the neighbouring residents at 12 and 14 Somerley Road
and 31 Bingham Road.
Furthermore, it is also considered that
due to the cramped layout the proposed development would
result in unacceptable living conditions for the future
occupants of the development due to visually oppressive
outlooks and a lack of privacy. It is also considered that
the proposed development would result in an inadequate provision
of private amenity space detrimental to the quality of life
of the future occupants.
It is therefore considered that the
proposal would have an unacceptable impact on the character
of the area and would affect adversely the visual and residential
amenities of the locality. It is therefore considered that
the proposed development would be contrary to the aims of
Policies 3.13, 3.14, 3.15, 4.19, 6.8, 7.21, 8.13, 8.23,
8.36 and 8.37 of the Bournemouth District Wide Local Plan
(February 2002) as well as the adopted Residential Development:
A Design Guide (2008), PPS1 and PPS3. "
Head quits Winton school
28.07.10
Winton Primary School is to get a new head
teacher.
After being placed on "management leave"
pending investigations into unspecified matters, head Sharon
Jones has quit her post for personal reasons.
Last month Bournemouth council formally demanded
improvements at the school which had been criticised in
an Ofsted report. There were concerns that there had been
insufficient action to tackle some of the problems outlined
in the document. The Board of Governors is also to be strengthened.
Public Meeting on planning issues
23.07.10
A public meeting has been called to discuss
the Bournemouth Core Strategy and planning isssues that
affect Winton.
A council representative will be present to
explain and answer questions.
The meeting will be at 7.00 pm on Friday 30
July at Richmond Park Bowls Club, Winton Rec.
Boost for Winton Traders
22.07.10
Winton Traders Asociation is to get a new
lease of life.
The currently dormant association is to be
revived under the umbrella of the Bournemouth Chamber of
Trade. Members will have direct membership of the Chamber
and a special fund is to be set up for investment back into
Winton.
A fund has already been created to assist
Winton during the recession.
More businesses are being encouraged to join
up, as this will automatically boost the Winton assistance
funds.
Winton problems highlighted
20.07.10
Winton Community Forum has responded to the
Council's consultation on Bournemouth's future with a detailled
description of the problems facing the area.
It stresses the effects of "studentification"
and growth in number of houses in multiple occupation.
Read the
full response HERE.
Oily vandalism
19.07.10
Council workers have been cleaning up after
a vandal attack on a number of cars in Winton.
Around a dozen cars had oil poured over them
while they were parked overnight in Wycliffe Road at the
weekend.
It is believed the oil was taken from drums
of waste oil that had been left on the pavement.
Forum Action on Student Housing
03.07.10
Winton Community Forum has set up a special
committee to review and act on current housing problems
in the area.
Chaired by Patrick Oakley, it will in particular
be looking at Houses of Multiple Occupation. It is hoped
to be able to assist local residents, including students,
and put pressure where necessary on the local authority.
Members have already been very active with
a series of meetings. For more details and a summary of
activity to date, see our Student
Issues page.
Winton councillor suspended
24.06.10
Councillor Douglas Spencer has been suspended
from the Conservative Party and is facing an investigation
into his conduct. Details of the allegations being probed
by Tory Party Central Office have not been released.
Councillor Spencer has represented Winton
East since being elected in 2008 to replace another councillor
who resigned for family reasons.
The move further increases political uncertainty
in the ward. Two months ago fellow Tory councillor Paul
Hughes decided to quit the Conservatives and switch allegiance
to the Liberal Democrats.
The two most senior members of Bournemouth
Council are themselves under investigation. Council Leader
MacLoughlin has already apologised for the presence of pornographic
material on his laptop computer. Deputy Leader Beesley,
who also serves as Planning chairman, has been accused of
a possible conflict of interest over his friendship with
a planning consultant.
Hip Hop Dance Fame
 22.06.10
A local teenager was one of the winners in
Europe's top hip hop dance competition.
Fourteen year old Darren Symes is from Charminster
and came third at the European Hip Hop Popping championship
in Amsterdam.
Dancing under the name of Roboboy, Darren
has already proved a popular act at many local and national
events and has even performed before royalty! He was recently
featured in Sky's "Got to Dance" programme and
will be appearing at Winton Carnival.
World Cup Scam
10.06.10
Residents are being warned not to get caught
out in the latest World Cup-related scam.
Trading Standards has received several complaints
from local people who have received a letter claiming they
have won a large sum of money eg £800,000 from 'Euro
Millions Fifa World Cup Super Lottery Program.'
If you receive a letter like the one described,
report it to Consumer Direct immediately.
Bournemouth Senior Trading Standards Officer
David Morton says: "The letter requests that the recipient
provides their contact and banking details and I would advise
very strongly that residents do not provide this information
because of the danger of their bank accounts being emptied
of cash."
Consumer Direct's phone number is : 08454
04 05 06 or go online at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk .
Charminster Cannabis Factory raided
31.05.10
Police have removed thousands of pounds worth
of cannabis plants from a bungalow in Charminster.
The property in Richmond Park Avenue was raided
at the weekend. Inside was a complete factory designed to
grow cannabis with the correct amounts of water, heat and
ventilation. It is estimated that more than £200,000
worth of plants were being grown there.
The building had been modified with holes
cut through the ceilings and the power supply was being
illegally tapped from the mains.
Police are appealing for information.
Man charged with Heather Barnett murder
21.05.10
A man has appeared in court today charged
with the murder of Heather Barnett.
He is 38 year old Danilo Restivo whose address
was given as Chatsworth Road not far from the house in Capstone
Road, Charminster, where Heather's body was found seven
years ago.
The appearance follows intensive police enquiries
both locally and in Italy. The case was committed for a
preliminary hearing to Winchester Crown Court.
Detective Superintendent Mark Cooper, the
case's Senior Investigation Officer, said: "We have
been in close contact with members of Heather’s family
throughout the course of this investigation, including speaking
with them this morning to make them aware of the charges
brought against Restivo. The family has shown extraordinary
strength and courage over the seven years since Heather’s
death and our thoughts are still very much with them".
Winton Tory defects to Lib-Dems
3.5.10
In a shock pre-election move, one of Winton's
three Conservative councillors has defected to the Liberal-Democrats
and thrown his support behind their prospective MP Alasdair
Murray.
Elected in 2007, Paul Hughes was for a time
the Conservative council's youth champion. With him he apparently
brings the local Conservative party's main publicity organs
- the Winton Watch newsletter and web site.
Justifying his action so close to the general
election, Winton East Councillor Hughes says, "I have
become increasingly frustrated by the restrictions placed
upon myself and other Tory backbenchers by the all-powerful
ten-member cabinet. I feel I have been unable to do all
that I would have liked for Winton residents.
"I came to the conclusion that democracy
and fairness are best served as a member of the Liberal
Democrats".
Election Race
20.04.2010
There will be five candidates contesting each
of the two Bournemouth constituencies on May 6.
In both Bournemouth West and East the contenders
from the three main parties will be joined by an independent
and a candidate from UKIP.
Candidates for Bournemouth West are: Conor
Burns (Conservative), Sharon Carr-Brown (Labour), Philip
Glover (United Kingdom Independence Party), Alasdair Murray
(Liberal Democrat), Harvey Taylor (Independent) .
Candidates for Bournemouth East are: Tobias
Ellwood (Conservative), David Hughes (United Kingdom Independence
Party), Steven Humphrey (Independent), Lisa Northover (Liberal
Democrat), David Stokes (Labour).
Winton brothel bust
09.04.2010
Details have been revealed of a brothel that
ran for four years in the middle of Winton's main shopping
area.
It was in a flat opposite the Waitrose store
in Wimborne Road and dozens of prostitutes were reported
to have worked there from 2005 until June 2009 when it was
raided by police and closed down.
The details were revealed in the trial of
the woman accused of running it - 61 year old Diana Gillian
Wood of Spring Road Boscombe. The court heard that the business
had involved large sums of money, but none of the women
working there had done so under duress.
Wood was jailed for 14 months. Another woman
received a lighter sentence after pleading guilty to assisting
in the management of a brothel.
Robbery Reward
25.03.10
 HSBC
is offering £25,000 reward for information on the
man who robbed its Moordown branch on Tuesday.
The man walked into the branch at 897 Wimborne
Road just before midday on Tuesday, 23 March. He got away
with an undisclosed sum of money.
Masked by a white scarf the man is described
as pale, slim, about 6ft tall and in his thirties. He threatened
staff, but was not armed. Police have released a CCTV image.
Detectives say the man was wearing very distinctive
clothing and it is possible that several people will have
seen him before or after the incident.
Witnesses and anyone with information should
call Dorset Police in confidence on 222222.
Planning rejections
23.3.2010
After a campaign of local opposition, two
applications to build houses at the back of 8 and 10 Fitharris
Avenue have been rejected by council planners.
The proposals were opposed by residents of
Fitzharris and Linwood Roads, and supported by Winton Recreation
Ground Residents Association and the Friends of Winton Recreation
Ground..
It is understood that the first decision will
now go to appeal. It is not yet known if the second decision
will be contested.
In a move to block future building, local
residents are reported to be considering a plan for householders
to make covenants preventing their gardens from ever being
developed in the future.
Local school celebrates reading
 6.03.2010
It was bedtime stories in the middle of the
day for pupils at Queens Park Junior School.
Some of them even donned pyjamas to celebrate
World Book Day.
The world of fiction became real with pirates,
witches, super-heroes and other story book charactes wandering
around the building.
World Book Day is a UNESCO initiative to promote
literacy around the world. It is marked by events in schools
and other organisations in more than one hundred countries.
Moderne Mystery Girl
4.3.2010
 Restoration
work on the old Gala bingo hall has revealed a mystery in
the attic.
A 3ft x 2ft picture of a girl's face was discovered
during work to convert the art deco building into Bournemouth
Community Church's new LIFEcentre..
It looks as if it could have been painted
at any time between the 1930's and 50's when the building
was still the Moderne cinema.
It bears the name "Annette" and
Bournemouth Community Church would love to know who she
was and why the picture is there.
If you have any information, you can contact
them on 01202 530265.
Gang attacks student
16.02.10
Police are appealing for witnesses after a
student was attacked and robbed by a group of teenagers
in Wimborne Road.
The attack happened close to the Tesco Express,
near Victoria Park Road, in the early hours of Sunday 14
February.
A gang of a least five men, all in their mid-to-late
teens, surrounded the student and hit him repeatedly before
taking his wallet. They then ran off, only to appear again
a short time later near the junction with Ensbury Park Road.
He was chased again but managed to get home
safely.
Police are linking the incident with a similar
attack a few minutes earlier when a man was assaulted by
a gang near to Winton police station.
Winton Election Question Time
3.2.10
Winton Forum has arranged a public meeting
for you to meet and challenge all the main candidates seeking
your vote in the coming General Election.
Facing you on the platform will be the Prospective
Parliamentary Candidates for the Conservative Party, Labour,
the Liberal Democrats and UKIP. The meeting will be run
by an independent chairman.
The event is scheduled to take place at the
YMCA, Jameson Road, at 7.30PM on Friday 19 March.
Government responds to Winton plea on
studentification
27.1.2010
The government is proposing action to deal
with problems associated with student houses, flats and
houses in multiple occupation.
The move comes in response to a campaign in
which the Winton Community Forum played a significant role
and should mean an end to entire streets being turned into
"student ghettoes".
Bournemouth council will get new powers to
manage the unplanned spread of Houses in Multiple Occupation.
A government report admits the cluster of too many shared
houses can cause problems, especially if too many properties
in one area are let to short term residents with little
stake in the local community.
It notes that many towns and cities across
the country have suffered the effects of a concentration
of HMOs. Market, coastal and university towns have reported
problems due to large student populations and HMOs, meaning
shops, businesses and pubs simply close down creating 'ghost
neighbourhoods'.
Under the new rules, landlords will need to
apply for planning permission in order to establish a new
HMO with a change of use, for example when the use of a
property is altered from a family home to a shared house,
with three or more tenants who are not related.
Councils will have extra flexibility to license
landlords, requiring safe and quality rented accommodation
in neighbourhoods where large numbers of substandard properties
can be a magnet for community problems.
Work is now underway for a new National Landlords
Register, to further help raise standards of private rented
accommodation.
Youth Centre for Winton Rec
19.1.2010
Linwood Youth Centre is to get a new home.
It will be based at the Pavillion in Winton Recreation Ground.
The club caters for young people with disabilities
and will be using the building three evenings a week. For
the rest of the time the pavillion will be made available
to other groups.
The hundred year old pavilion will be getting
an internal revamp and refurbishment as part of the move.
Changing rooms will be relocated upstairs to give more usable
space downstairs.
Councillors say they are committed to improving
facilities over the coming years and will be sounding out
local opinion on future developments at the Recreation Ground
Local students in environment initiative
3.12.2009
 People
in Winton have been given free environmentally friendly
shopping bags as part of student drive to "go green".
Intended to replace non-recyclable plastic
bags, the fabric versions were hand made and distributed
by students from Bournemouth University.
More than fifty bags were handed out to shoppers
in Wimborne Road. Forum chairman Anson Westbrook was also
there to lend a hand.
"We want to be involved in the community
and encourage everybody to be environmentally sensitive",
said student spokesperson Hannah Wright.
National award for local teacher
19.11.2009
A Winton teacher has won a national award
for primary school language teaching.
 Sally
Mitchell of St Luke’s C of E Primary School was awarded
the Primary Language Teacher Award 2009 at a ceremony at
the Houses of Parliament.
Headteacher, Mark Saxby says: ‘Languages
at St Luke’s have come to life with staff and children
looking forward to their lessons. This is because Sally
loves her subject and is passionate about ensuring children
get a positive experience when they begin to explore languages.’
The range of languages on offer includes Japanese,
German, French and Spanish. Sally also runs a lunchtime
French club, and has been extremely active in supporting
both colleagues and other schools in teaching modern foreign
languages.
Sally's prize includes more than £2000
worth of resources plus an all-expenses paid two-day trip
to Northern France for up to 30 children and five teachers.
Local Girl for World Swimming Championships
4/11/09
 A
local girl has been chosen to represent Britain in next
year's Downs Syndrome World Swimming Chamionships in Taiwan.
As a member of the national team, Judith Cooling
from Queens Park already has an impressive list of achievements.
At an international competition earlier this
year she won a gold medal for the 200m backstroke, silver
medals for the 400m freestyle and 50m butterfly and bronzes
for the 25m butterfly, 200m freestyle and 50m backstroke.
Her training for the world championships includes
swimming four times a week locally, special training sessions
in Reading and participation in national galas.
She needs to raise £2000 pounds to enable
her to compete in the championships. Anybody wishing to
help sponsor her is invited to email coolings@hotmail.co.uk
.
Winton postal delays
16/10/09
The vintage mail boxes |
The coming postal strike might cause some
disruption, but it is unlikely to equal the delay suffered
by the post in Winton, USA.
Local man Jim Feiten has just discovered a
number of undelivered letters that have been in the system
since the Second World War!
Jim lives in a log hut in a ghost-town called
Winton in the Cascade Mountains and takes a keen interest
not only in its local history but also that of the one in
Bournemouth.
Looking around an antiques shop he happened
to find the original mail boxes that had served the logging
community in his Winton. He bought them, took them home,
and was astonished to find unopened letters posted in 1943.
Jim likes to keep an eye on all the other
Wintons in the world via the Winton Forum web site. He heeps
in touch with us via email - so far its proved more reliable
than the US service of the 1940s.
You can read more about Jim's Winton home
here.
Don't forget the flu jab
15/10/09
As swine flu injections become available,
vulnerable people are being urged not to forget their vaccination
against "ordinary" seasonal flu."
Everyone aged 65 and over is offered the jab,
as are younger people with long-term conditions such as
heart disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, serious kidney
and liver disease. Around 15 million people in the UK have
the jab, which must be administered every year as it is
altered each year to match the seasonal flu strains in circulation.
Regional Public Health Director Dr Gabriel Scally says:
"In the publicity about swine flu vaccination we mustn't
forget about the importance of the annual seasonal flu jab.
Over the years this has saved the lives of many elderly
and vulnerable people. Seasonal flu is not like having a
cold and can seriously affect your health and sometimes
lead to more serious complications."
If you are in any of the at risk groups he
advises a visit to your local surgery to get the vaccination
as soon as possible.
School closed by virus outbreak
3/10/09
Queens Park Infant School has been closed
following the outbreak of a suspected viral illness.
The decision was taken after a number of staff
and children began to suffer from sickness and diarrohea.
It is believed the cause may be the highly
contagious norovirus. The symptoms last a few days. There
is no recommended treatment other than drinking plenty of
fluids and washing hands to prevent the infection spreading.
Parts of the school buildings are receiving
special cleaning and disinfection.
The school will remain closed until at least
Tuesday
Obituary
30/08/09
It is with great sadness that we record the
death of Kathy Goldsmith-Bray, a founding member, trustee
and vice-chair of Winton Forum.
 She
was also a driving force in setting up and maintaining the
Winton Carnival.
A Winton resident for more than 25 years and
known then to the children simply as "Mrs Goldsmith",
Kathy was a popular teacher at Elmrise Primary School until
rheumatoid arthritis forced her early retirement in 2002.
Kathy then retrained as a psychological counsellor
and gave more than 1000 hours of voluntary service to the
National Health Service. At the same time she began to fulfil
her lifelong ambition of gaining a degree in art.
In late 2006 she became a project worker on
a National Children's Home pilot scheme to help families
in difficulty. It was her dream job, but only a few weeks
after joining the team, she was diagnosed with terminal
cancer of the brain.
She married Mel, her partner of 20 years,
in August 2008 and conducted her two and a half year cancer
battle with bravery, dignity and humour. Throughout that
time she never gave up and continued to display her characteristic
warmth, kindness and consideration for other people.
Kathy died a month after her 59th birthday
and a couple of weeks after her first wedding anniversary.
She will be deeply missed.
A web site dedicated to her memory has been
set up at www.kathygoldsmith.co.uk
.
Charminster Weapons seizure
27/08/09
Police have seized a variety of weapons in
a raid on a flat in Charminster.
They entered the property in Lowther Road
just before 8AM on Wednesday morning and subsequently removed
a knucke-duster, a machete, a club and various knives. Suspicious
substances have alse been sent for analysis.
Three local men aged 30, 39 and 42 were arrested
and questioned. Police want to hear from anybody with information
concerning the weapons.
New Emergency Noise
Service
20/8/09
Bournemouth Council is now providing an enhanced
service that will specifically deal with noise complaints.
Between the hours of 10pm and 2am on Friday and Saturday
nights a duty officer will be on call to respond to a number
of noise issues including:
- Noise complaints about students in their
properties/halls of residence
- Noise complaints regarding an event/party
that is affecting a number of households
- Noise complaints regarding licensed premises
- Request from Dorset Police for duty officer(s)
to attend incident where noise is an issue
Complaints regarding anti-social and criminal
behaviour, noise from people on the street and very obvious
one-off incidents cannot be dealt with by this service and
if appropriate the matter will be referred to Dorset Police
or dealt with the next working day.
To report a noise problem that is on going
between 10pm and 2am on either a Friday or Saturday night
you should use the main Council telephone number 01202 451451.
A recorded message will provide you with the current contact
details for the Council's emergency out of hours services.
You will need to provide your name, address and telephone
number as well as information about the noise nuisance you
are experiencing. Your details will then be passed to the
officer on call that evening who will contact you to discuss
your complaint and arrange a visit if necessary.
Any calls received outside the hours of the
noise service will either be logged for action the next
working day or you will be advised to contact the Pollution
Section during normal office hours by telephone 012020 451296
or email pollution@bournemouth.gov.uk
Winton nostalgia fest
20/7/09
A nostalgic step back in time is being planned
for the beginning of September in Winton Rec.
A vintage fayre with a 1920's and 30's focus
will feature traditional amusements of the era including
the Coconut Shy, 'Strong Man' test your strength games,
Punch & Judy shows and face painting. Visitors can enjoy
a picnic whilst a 17-piece swing band and local dance schools
perform live throughout the day, or soak up the nostalgia
by viewing the collection of vintage cars and historic Bournemouth
photographs.
Taking place on Saturday 5 September the event
is sponsored by local solicitors Aldridge Brownlee to celebrate
their 80th birthday. For more information visit www.bournemouthvintagefayre.co.uk.
Threats, abuse and uncertainty over park
7.7.09
A public meeting has been called to clarify
the future of Queen's Park.
Councillors and council officials will be
asked to respond to rumours that a Council plan has been
drawn up that could dramatically change the nature of the
park.
Another factor in the debate will be the relationship
between golfers and the rest of the community. A number
of people have publically claimed to have been subject to
verbal abuse and threats of physical violence from golfers
both in the park and in the pavilion.
Queens Park and Charminster Forum chair Bob
Anderton says:" There seems to be a misconception that
the park is an exclusive members club when it is in fact
a public facility paid for out of local council tax and
therefore open to all who wish to use it. This issue has
to be addressed".
Two meetings will be held on August 6 in the
Queen's Park Pavilion - one at 10.30am and one at 7.30pm.
The two times have been chosen to ensure that everybody
can attend.
Dog attack in park
7.7.09
Attempts are being made to track down the
owner of a Great Dane responsible for a savage attack on
another dog in Queens Park.
A tiny Yorkshire terrier suffered deep woulds
and horrific internal injuries after being grabbed and shaken
around by the Great Dane. The incident happened at around
1.30pm on Saturday 4 July.
The Great Dane is described as dark coloured
and was with two other dogs - a black labrador and a husky-type
dog. The owners are believed to have been two men in their
20's or 30's who were walking with a little girl who had
blonde hair.
Anyone with information is asked to contact
the council dog warden on 451451.
Missing girl appeal
4.07.09
Police are appealing for help in finding a
missing Winton teenager.
Fifteen year old Bethany Megan Clements was
last seen by her parents at 8.45pm on Tuesday, June 30.
Bethany is five feet five inches tall, slim,
and has blonde shoulder-length hair. When last seen her
clothing included beige fluffy boots and blue jeans.
Police want to hear from anybody who thinks
they may know where she is.
Ensbury Park robberies
26.06.09
Police are appealing for witnesses after two
robberies in Columbia Road – both are believed to have
been committed by the same man.
The first attempted robbery took place at
the Mace convenience store on Columbia Road at approximately
1pm on Monday, 22 June when a man threatened the female
cashier demanding money and banging his fist on the counter.
He then ran off empty handed across Columbia Road and into
the Slades Farm housing estate. He had his hood up and a
scarf obscuring his face.
The second robbery was at Peters Newsagent
on the junction of Columbia Road and Kinson Road at approximately
2pm on Wednesday, 24 June. A hooded man ran into the store
shouting loudly and brandishing a knife.
Other customers watched as he snatched a small
amount of money from the till before running off down Kinson
Road, into Cherford Road and onto Turbary Common.
Police believe the same man is responsible
for both of the incidents. He described as dark skinned,
aged 16 to 25 years old and dressed all in black clothing
with a hooded jacket.
Attempted Abduction in Wimborne Road
24.06.09
Police are hunting a man who attempted to
abduct a woman waiting at a Moordown bus stop.
The 20 year old woman was waiting at a bus
stop outside 786 Wimborne Road just after 11AM on Tuesday,
23 June, when the man grabbed at her and tried to force
her to go with him.
She started screaming and he ran off in the
direction of Winton Banks.
The man is described as skinny, around 50
years old and about 5 foot 8 inches tall. He is also described
as scruffy, with collar length light brown hair and a full
beard. He was believed to be wearing a baggy blue t-shirt.
Witnesses are asked to contact the police
immediately.
Local MP attacked by youths
22.06.09
Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood has been
receiving hospital treatment after allegedly being attacked
and punched in the head by a group of youths in Boscombe.
The incident reportedly happened just before
1PM on Saturday afternoon after the MP had been conducting
his constituency surgery. It is believed that he had tried
to stop the gang from playing football in Roumelia Lane.
The confrontation escalated from verbal abuse to physical
violence. At one point the MP had the football thrown in
his face.
The former soldier, who has served in Bosnia
and Northern Ireland, was taken to hospital in a dazed condition
suffering from minor head injuries, a swollen ear and impaired
hearing. A police investigation is underway and two teenagers
have been questioned.
MPs expenses published on line
18.6.09
Parliament has today published details of
the expenses our MPs have claimed over the past four years.
There are many gaps though - MPs have been
allowed to remove data which they consider "personal"
or "sensitive". This results in numerous black
"censored" patches in the documents.
The expense claims are on-line. Click
here to see them.
Local church to close
18.6.09
The multicultural Church for the Nations is
to close its doors.
 Founded
three years ago and based in Victoria Park Road, the church
strove to attract a congregation of varying nationalities
and cultures through a variety of activities including clubs
for children, young people and senior citizens, parents
and toddlers groups, and community outreach programmes.
The closure is prompted by the decision of
founding pastor Washington Gwenzi to leave and join the
Richmond Park Church in Boscombe.
Armed Robbery at Bookmakers
12.6.09
Police are appealing for witnesses after a
knife-point robbery at an Ensbury Park bookmakers.
At 7.32pm on Wednesday, 10 June 2009, two
masked men burst into Corals at 56 Columbia Road and threatened
staff with large kitchen knives before making off with several
hundred pounds.
One raider ran to the cashier brandishing
a knife and waved it in his face shouting for him to open
the safe. The other took hold of the only customer and forced
him to kneel on the floor with his hands on his head.
The two thieves went through the safe and
till drawers and removed several hundred pounds before forcing
the cashier and the customer go into a back room where they
locked them in. The thieves then ran off along Columbia
Road to Slades Farm.
One is described as in his twenties, five
feet ten inches tall and of slim build. He was wearing a
black hooded top and has a British but not local accent.
The second robber is also about five feet ten inches tall
and of bigger than average build. He was wearing a hooded
top and a scarf over his face. He has a foreign sounding
accent.
A small silver car was seen driving
away from nearby in Archdale Close around the time of the
robbery. It was being driven by a white woman who is about
nineteen or twenty years of age with shoulder length brown
hair. Police want to hear from the driver or anybody who
saw it.
Winton councillor expenses probe
6.6.09
It has been revealed that one of Winton's
three councillors has been claiming an average £67.50
travelling expenses for council meetings, even though he
lives within walking distance of the Town Hall.
Cllr Paul Hughes reportedly submitted the
third highest claim of all councillors - a total of £540
for the eight town hall meetings that the records show he
attended in 2008/09.
Cllr Hughes says the records reflect only
part of the travelling that he actually undertook. However
more than half of Bournemouth's borough councillors submitted
no travel claims at all.
He has been told to provide a full explanation
to council leader Stephen MacLoughlin at the next Conservative
Group meeting.
Armed police raid
27.5.09
Four men are being questioned after an armed police raid
on a flat in Charminster Avenue.
Police set up a 100 metre security cordon before storming
the building on the corner of Gresham Road at around midday.
Two of the arrested men come from Bournemouth, one from
Essex and one from London. Their ages range between 22 and
50. Police have so far not revealed the nature of their
enquiry.
Garden Giveaway
14.05.09
Bags of compost are being given away free
as a result of Bournemouth's recycling effort.
The Council has been given ten tonnes of compost
by one of its waste partners. They are giving it away free
as a thank you to residents who are helping to make the
green waste collection service such a success.
The compost is being made available on a first
come first served basis at the Kings Park green waste collection
point on Sunday 24 May from 9am to 1pm.
Anyone can come along and collect two bags/containers
of compost on showing their council tax bill as proof of
residency.
(You must provide your own container).
Charminster vandalism
4.05.09
 A
man has been arrested following vandalism that left a trail
of destruction along Charminster Road in the early hours
of Saturday Morning, 2 May.
The attacks happened along the stretch of
the road between Kings Road and Strouden Road between 3
and 4 AM.
Three shop windows were smashed along with
a window in the Richmond Arms, two bus shelters and two
car windscreens.
A 23-year-old man has been arrested and released
on police bail pending further enquiries. Police are appealing
for witnesses.
Police E-Fit of Wimborne Road attacker
 27.04.09
Police have now released an e-fit picture
of the man responsible for a violent attack on a young woman
in Wimborne Road.
The attack took place along the stretch of
Wimborne Road between Stokewood Road and Cemetery Junction
between 3.30am and 4.15am on 21 April 2009.
The man is described as white, in his late
twenties or early thirties, around six feet tall and with
short mousy hair.
At the time of the offence, he was wearing
a short-sleeved shirt, blue denim jeans and white trainers.
Police want to hear from anybody who
thinks they may recognise him.
Friends to preserve Fampoux Gardens
27.04.09
More than forty local residents have voted
to form a group to preserve the Fampoux Gardens.
The move follows the Borough Council's decision,
under intense local pressure, to remove the war memorial
gardens from its list of sites scheduled for sale and redevelopment.
A public meeting chaired by Councillor Douglas
Spencer heard residents suggestions that included improved
lighting, fencing, gates and tidying of trees and shrubs.
Cllr Spencer indicated that this could be achieved through
use of the Council's partnership and improvement fund.
Other issues of concern included dog mess,
general litter and antisocial behaviour in the gardens.
The meeting expressed support for the formation
of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme and concluded with a unanimous
vote in favour of a "Friends of Fampoux Gardens"
group."
CCTV Camera appeal
24.04.09
Police want to hear from a number of people
spotted by CCTV cameras in Wimborne Road at the time of
a violent assault on a young woman.
The attack, which left the 19 year old unconscious
took place along the stretch of Wimborne Road between Stokewood
Road and Cemetery Junction between 3.30am and 4.15am on
21 April 2009.
Men that detectives are especially keen to
speak to include two men seen walking along Wimborne Road
and the driver of a taxi.
Woman attacked in Wimborne Road
22.04.09
Detectives are appealing for witnesses and
information after a woman was seriously assaulted in Wimborne
Road.
The incident happened in the early hours of
Tuesday morning 21 April along the stretch of Wimborne Road
between Stokewood Road and Cemetery Junction.
A 19-year-old Bournemouth woman sustained
minor injuries as a result. The front of Richard Language
College and nearby pavement were sealed off for a time as
police carried out a forensic examination of the scene.
The attacker is described as white, aged in
his late twenties or early thirties, around six feet tall
and with short mousy hair. He was wearing a short-sleeved
shirt, blue denim jeans and white trainers.
Police believe that someone and perhaps several
people - know, or suspect that they know, who is responsible
for this attack. If so they are urged to contact Dorset
Police in confidence.
Car crime
16.04.09
Police are appealing for witnesses, information
and victims to come forward after a man was assaulted and
a number of vehicles damaged.
At around 10.15pm on Sunday, 12 April, police
were called to an incident in which a green Ford Ka had
crashed into a garden wall on Hill View Road, Ensbury Park.
The driver then allegedly left his car and
damaged vehicles as he walked from Hill View Road to Naseby
Road.
It is also alleged that the driver assaulted
a 21-year-old Bournemouth man in Brassey Road.
Police want to hear from anyone who witnessed
anything unusual between Hill View Road and Naseby Road
between 10.15pm and 10.45pm on Sunday, 12 April. They also
want to speak to anyone in the Ensbury Park area who believes
that their vehicle was damaged on Sunday night, but has
not yet reported the damage to the police.
A 23-year-old Bournemouth man has been
released on bail without charge while enquiries continue
Wanted Man
11.04.09
 Police
are appealing for public help in finding a potentially dangerous
man wanted for burglary.
Twenty nine year old Jason Ross Sufi (pictured
right) is 5 feet 8 inches tall, of medium build with
short black hair and of Mediterranean appearance. He has
a scar on the back of his head and tattoos of ‘DAD’
on his left arm and his back.
Anyone who sees him, or knows where he is,
should not approach him, but contact the police immediately
on 999.
Fampoux Gardens Saved!
8.04.09
Bournemouth council has decided to remove
the Fampoux Gardens from its list of areas scheduled for
re-development. It now wants to see them cleaned up and
restored to the high standard which its builders first intended
when the gardens were opened in 1922.
The move follows intense communal pressure
exerted among other places through this website. Local people
made it very clear that they did not want the memorial gardens
to be sold off and re-developed as blocks of flats.
Cabinet Member for Economy and Tourism Councillor
Beverly Dunlop says, "“We have listened to residents
in the area who have told us that Fampoux Gardens is a site
of special importance to them."
“With the help of the residents we are
looking forward to creating a memorial garden that is cleaner,
brighter and a calming environment where the whole community
can come and pay their respects and remember those ex-servicemen
who gave their lives for their country.”
Winton Forum Chairman Anson Westbrook is delighted
with the policy reversal. He says, "It is a victory
not just for the families of local servicemen, but for the
community as a whole. Places like the Fampoux Gardens must
be preserved because they are part of our heritage. Winton
Forum is proud to have played a major part in the campaign
to give the community a voice on this issue. It is good
to know that the council has listened. "
Muggers jailed
8.04.09
Two men have been jailed after attacking a
man in Moordown and stealing his wallet.
Student Grant James Norman, aged 20, was given
a custodial sentence of four years. He was found guilty
after pleading not guilty to the robbery charge.
Bobby Richard John Burridge, aged 18, was
given a custodial sentence of two years after pleading guilty.
Both were arrested on 29 September last year.
They will serve their sentences at a Young Offenders Institution.
Fampoux protest to PM
6.04.09
The Prime Minister is being petitioned to
save the Fampoux Gardens from sale and re-development.
You can add your name on-line. Go to petitions.number10.gov.uk/FampouxMemorial
Mobile Phone Mugging
30.03.09
Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone
with information to come forward in confidence after a teenage
girl was assaulted and robbed of her mobile phone in Winton.
The 15-year old was assaulted and pushed to
the ground in Brassey Road close to the junction with Benmore
Road around 10.30pm on Thursday, 26 March 2009.
The teenager - who lives in Winton - suffered
bruises, a chipped tooth and a cut to her cheek. She was
taken to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital for treatment.
The alarm was raised when the girl's mother
called Dorset Police after her daughter returned home.
Police arrested two 16-year old girls in connection
with the incident. They were later released on police bail
while detectives continue their enquiries.
The officer in the case is Detective Constable
Martha Brehmer of Bournemouth and Poole police.
Witnesses and anyone with information should
call Dorset Police in confidence on 01202 222 222 or the
free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.
Council approves Fampoux sale plan
27.03.09
Bournemouth Council Cabinet has approved
a plan which would include the sale of the Fampoux Gardens
and their development for housing. They believe eleven dwellings
could be constructed on the site.
Here is the full text of the official release
issued after the Cabinet meeting:
Recognition for war heroes will always
remain at Fampoux Gardens in any improvements and developments
proposed for the site in the future.
On Wednesday, Cabinet approved the initial
plan to make significant investments to play areas and leisure
sites in the borough. As part of this proposal, Fampoux
Gardens was identified as one of 18 under-used areas which
will be considered as potential sites for affordable housing
schemes. Money released from the sale of these sites will
then go partly towards creating bigger and better quality
play areas for children and improving existing leisure sites.
Fampoux Gardens is a low priority for development,
however any changes that are proposed for the site, either
now or in the future, will always take into account the
special nature of the site and the views of local residents.
Councillor Beverley Dunlop, Cabinet Member
for Economy and Tourism, said: "Fampoux Gardens is
on the list of potential sites, however it does remain a
very low priority for us in terms of housing development.
We recognise that Fampoux Gardens is home to a memorial
to ex-servicemen and if any changes are made we will ensure
that the great service they have given for their Country
is acknowledged and that a tribute remains.
"If it does get to the stage where
it is decided to develop homes on the site we would ideally
be looking at working in partnership with developers to
create homes for ex-servicemen in remembrance of those that
died at war. Any changes made will follow detailed consultation
with local interest groups and residents in the area."
Memorial Gardens under threat
23/03/09
Bournemouth Council is planning to sell of
a Winton war memorial to make way for flats.
The Fampoux Gardens, in a triangle of land
between Green and Firbank Roads, are on the list of eighteen
"playgrounds" that have been earmarked for redevelopment.
They were constructed and laid out in 1922-3
by unemployed ex-servicemen in memory of hundreds of comrades
from the Hampshire Regiment who died just five years earlier
at the village of Fampoux during the bloody battle of Arras.
They were officially opened by Major General
Brooking, who played a leading local role in preserving
the memory of Bournemouth's war dead and trying to give
a better future to those who survived the mass slaughter
of the First World War.
The focus of the gardens is a minature hilltop
with a stone memorial bearing the words "These gardens
laid out by ex-servicemen are named to commemorate the gallant
stand of the Hampshires at Fampoux".
Some local residents are already pointing
out that the Gardens are a war memorial and although tiny,
one of the few open spaces where children can play.
For more on the history, click
here.
Older stories can be found
here or in the News
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