Winton Community Forum has been joined by
the Queens Park and Charminster Community Forum in its campaign
to let residents have their say about the proposed closure
of the Post Office branch in the Charminster Road Co-op.
Both forums are publishing full details on
their websites and a joint campaign is being planned with
local churches to save this important community service
from closure. The facts published by the Post Office are
in some cases both out of date and erroneous.
The busy Lower Charminster post office has
been earmarked for closure according to a consultation document
being issued by the Post Office.
The document names it as being in the Charminster
Road Alldays Store, although the store transferred to Co-op
ownership several years ago and has undergone substantial
refurbishment.
The Co-op also provides a home to the Winton
Post Office in Wimborne Road.
Winton Forum Chairman Anson Westbrook was
instrumental in saving the Winton branch and says the Charminster
proposal will be vigorously opposed.
"This is a busy post office," he
said. "How are the elderly, diasabled, and parents
with young children expected to cope? Frankly if the Post
Office management don't even know that the store changed
ownership several years ago, one wonders what data they
are basing their proposed decision upon."
Drug house closed
10/7/08
Police have closed a house in Castle Lane
West after it was found to have been used for drug dealing.
Magistrates issued the Closure Order under
the 2003 Anti-Social Behavior Act after local residents
complained about drug activity and anti-social behaviour.
A 21-year-old man, living at the address,
was arrested on suspicion of possession of controlled drugs
with intent to supply. He was later released on police bail
pending further enquires.
Drugs Closure Orders are served on properties
that have been used in connection with the unlawful use
of, production or supply of Class A drugs, and are associated
with the occurrence of anti-social behaviour.
Details of the Closure Order have been posted
on the front of the house. Any person found within the property
before the three month Closure Order has expired is liable
to be arrested and prosecuted.
Charminster stabbing
1/07/08
Two people are being questioned after a stabbing
incident in Charminster.
Emergency services were called to Belvedere
Road shortly after midnight. One man is in hospital being
treated for serious injuries. Another had a minor hand injury.
Police are questioning a 49 year old man and
a 47 year old woman in connecton with the incident.
Family escape fire
25/6/08
A family escaped unscathed this morning when
fire broke out in their Winton home.
A fire team arrived to tackle a breakfast
time blaze in one of the bedrooms of the property in Bemister
road.
The upper floor was badly damaged by fire
and smoke, but everybody managed to get out safely.
Alma Road car crash
16/6/08
Two men have been arrested after their car
crashed into a shop window in Alma Road.
The red sports car was being pursued by police
vehicle and had reportedly jumped two sets of lights when
the driver lost control just after the junction with Charminster
Road.
Police say police cars followed the Toyota
MR2 from Oxford Road, along the Wessex Way and down Richmond
Park Road. The driver had repeatedly ignored signals to
stop.
Witnesses are asked to contact the police.
Fuel Panic - Police safeguard supplies
14/06/08
Dorset Police have issued a statement confirming
that they will have enough fuel to ride out any shortages.
At the same time thay are asking us not to
create a fuel crisis by panic buying.
The advice is:
Do not panic buy – you will only deplete existing
fuel stocks more quickly and that could lead to greater
fuel supply problems.
Fuel stocks nationally and locally are resilient, although
the Shell tanker drivers’ four-day dispute may affect
the fuel distribution system.
Only buy the fuel you need to go about normal day-to-day
business – don't hold a full tank of fuel just in
case.
Avoid unnecessary journeys if possible.
Consider vehicle sharing with friends or colleagues,
especially for journeys to and from work.
Actively consider 'walk to school' schemes and the like
to minimise short journeys.
Consider using public and other forms of transport.
Don't hold extra stocks of fuel in tanks and other containers
– it’s dangerous and could lead to a greater
potential for fire risk.
Thumbs down for Winton Primary School
6/06/08
Government inspectors have told Winton Primary
School that it must do better.
Given an official notice to improve in its
latest OFSTED report, the school scored bottom marks in
overall effectiveness, achievement, standards, leadership
and management. In all other aspects it was classed as satisfactory.
The report says: "The leadership structure
introduced around three years ago by the school has had
a strong impact on pupils' personal development and well-being.
However, it has not met the need to raise standards, because
of inadequate provision for subject leadership. The senior
managers and governors took too long to respond to clear
indications of falling standards, and as a result many pupils,
particularly in the last two years at the school, have been
attaining standards well below those of which they are capable."
An action plan has now been introduced and
the report also makes a number of positive comments about
the behavour and conduct of the pupils together with the
efforts now being made by teachers to improve standards.
An electrical fault is believed to have triggered
the blaze which has severely damaged the Somerfield supermarket
warehouse in Wimborne Road.
The alarm was raised just before midday 2
June. Within a short time more than fifty firefighters were
on the scene. Wimborne Road and a number of adjoining roads
were sealed off.
Initial fears that gas cylinders might be
in the burning building proved unfounded, but a number of
small explosions were caused by aerosol cans.
It took more than two hours to bring the fire
under control. Fire teams managed to prevent it from spreading
into the main store, although it is likely to remain closed
for a time because of smoke damage.
Somerfield's management have been praised
for their efficiency in evacuating customers and staff -
some of whom were accomodated in the Hollies pub.
Service Station Card Scam - 500 victims
29/05/08
Police say they have now been contacted by
around five hundred people in connection with the alleged
credit card "skimming" at a Winton Service Station.
The two men arrested at the Westview Service
Station in Charminster Road have now been released on police
bail. They are described as local and aged 27 and 49.
Credit card details and pin numbers believed
to have been illegally obtained from customers at the Service
Station have reportedly been used in countries around the
world including Canada, Malaysia, India, Egypt, Portugal,
Australia, China, USA, Holland and Taiwan..
School Burgled
28/05/08
A man and a woman have been questioned after
a break-in at St Lukes School in Bemister Road.
Intruders broke though a glass door to get
into the building on the evening of Saturday May 24. A police
officer spotted suspicious activity at around a quarter
to nine. Two people were arrested shortly afterwards and
have now been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
A police tracker dog was deployed. Police
want to hear from anybody who saw anything suspicious at
the time of the burglary.
Winton pub attack
27/05/08
Police are appealing for witnesses after a
fight outside the new Parkstone and Heatherlands pub in
Wimborne road.
A man was reportedly talking to some women
in the pub when he was approached by a second man. A violent
argument then turned into a fight which spilled out onto
the pavement outside.
One of the men was hit in the face with a
beer glass and then kicked as he lay on the ground.
Police say the attacker drove off in a black
Nissan 4x4 vehicle which they want to trace. The incident
happened on Bank Holiday Monday evening, 26 May.
Garage Credit Card Fraud arrests
27/05/08
Two men have been arrested after allegations
of bank card cloning at a Winton service station.
Customers of the Westview Service Station
in Charminster Road are being asked to check their bank
or credit card statements.
Calls started coming into Dorset Police on
Bank Holiday Monday, 26 May, and police officers began an
investigation the following morning. The service station
was closed for a time as the premises were searched.
Two men from Bournemouth – one aged in
his 20s and the other aged in his 40s – were arrested
at the garage on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud the
banking industry.
So far, Dorset Police has received more than
25 calls from worried members of the public alleging bank
card fraud.
Dorset Police is issuing the following advice
to the public:
1. Make sure you are not being watched when
entering your PIN number.
2. Hide your key pad with your hand when you
put in your pin code.
3. If you feel you may be being watched and
you are using a mobile pin machine, move the machine to
somewhere where you are not being watched and put in your
pin making sure that you put your hand over while you input
your pin.
4. If you feel your card has been compromised,
immediately report it to your bank and Dorset Police on
01202 222 222.
Stokewood Centre accolade
25/05/08
Stokewood Leisure Centre has been ranked as
the 15th top performing leisure facility in the UK.
The assessment was made by by Quest - a national
scheme which assesses the operational efficiency and effectiveness
of an organisation.
Centre Manager Colette Kiernanderis says,
"We have achieved a highly commended rating and an
overall scoring of 80% which is a 5% increase on our previous
assessment in 2006 and puts us on a par with the Littledown
Centres scoring! This is a fantastic achievement by all
the staff and I would like to thank everyone for their involvement
and contribution towards achieving this wonderful result."
The Stokewood Leisure Centre will be significantly
improving its facilities later on this year with a £330,000
investment to increase the size of the gym by over 70% and
to build a new spinning studio. More about the centre here.
Unsung Hero Awards
21/05/08
The search is on for Bournemouth's Unsung
Heroes.
Those eligible include individuals or groups
who work within the Bournemouth conurbation to encourage
residents to live healthy lifestyles, those keeping the
town clean or green, improving community spirit, reducing
crime or antisocial behaviour or helping others less fortunate.
Whether it’s volunteers working for
a particular cause, residents going above and beyond for
a club or project or those showing individual acts of kindness
– we want to hear your stories.
The awards fall under six categories; Fighting
Fit, Community Spirit, Crime Buster, Clean and Green, Heart
of Gold and Hero of the Year. The Heart of Gold Award will
go to an individual or group who has championed the cause
of others in their community.
All nominations received for the awards will
automatically be entered into the Hero of the Year category.
The winner will be an individual or group who has made an
outstanding contribution, excelled in voluntary work or
made a tangible difference to an individual or the wider
community.
Nomination forms are available to download
from the Bournemouth 2026 or Daily Echo website, for collection
at the Echo’s reception in Richmond Hill or can be
sent via post by calling Clare Hickinbotham on 01202 436887.
All nominations must be received by July 7 2008.
Bingo Hall Breakthrough
17/05/08
Plans to turn Wimborne Road's former Moderne
Cinema / Gala Bingo Hall into a church community centre
have taken another step forward.
Gala have accepted the Bournemouth Community
Church offer to convert the building into a multi-purpose
complex. It is not planned to extend the building and the
only external alterations would be a new entrance and lobby
area.
Bournemouth Council are happy with the change
of use, and there have been no objections from nearby residents.
Gala closed the building in February. The
Church plan is to start work later this year and open the
new centre by Spring 2009.
The Conservatives have retained the Winton
East seat vacated by Councillor Sue Cowley.
On a turnout of 24.6%, Tory candidate Douglas
Spencer was first past the post with 590 votes. Runner up
and former councillor Anson Westbrook gained 411.
Full results:
BENNETT, Barry John Sinclair
British National Party
104
EEDE, Roger
Green Party
126
LOCK, Malcolm Kenneth
Independent
132
SEMPLE, Mel
Labour Party
244
SPENCER, Douglas Lloyd Barton
Conservative Party
590
WESTBROOK, Anson
Liberal Democrats
411
WHITT, Sam
UK Independence Party
51
Winton Carnival
26/04/08
Winton Carnival will kick off at midday on
June 28 with a parade making its way down Wimborne Road
and on to Winton Recreation Ground to the accompaniment
of brass, pipe and silver bands.
At Winton Rec there will be a funfair, family
attractions, and a large stage featuring top music acts
ranging from rock, jazz and country to indie, samba and
soul. The music is planned to go on until ten at night.
This is the community event of the year and
everybody can be involved. Businesses and schools in particular
can play a big role by taking part in the parade and/or
having a stall on the ground. Sponsorship is also welcome
from community minded companies.
Thousands of people turned up last time. Book
your stall and/or place in the parade now!
Info and application forms can be downloaded
from the carnival website at www.wintoncarnival.co.uk.
More Development Plans
25/04/08
Plans have been submitted for three more blocks
of flats in Winton.
36-60-62 Hawthorn Road. Erection of
a 2-3 storey block of mixed development comprising of 5
office units and 43 flats with bin and cycle stores and
formation of vehicular access and parking spaces submitted
by Raglan Housing. Application no 7 2008 1058-6. Public
expiry 18.05.08.
29 Latimer Road. Erection of a 2-3
storey block of 5 flats with bin store. Submitted by Prime
Tower. This is a part amendment to an application. Application
no 7 2008-933-E. Public Expiry 18.05.08
5 Cramner Road. Erection of a 2 storey
block of 4 flats and cycle store. Submitted by Dave Wells.
Application no 7 2008-23653. Public expiry 18.05.08
Safe Drink Message
20/04/08
Drinkers are being urged to get the balance
right in a new campaign with local supermarkets.
In a bid to reduce so-called ‘pre-loading’
in which drinkers stock up on booze at supermarkets and
binge drink before heading into town, the campaign is urging
them to get the balance right and drink responsibly. For
more advice they are being referred to http://www.drinkaware.co.uk.
Recent figures show that 65,000 people aged
over 16 in Bournemouth and Poole drink at hazardous levels
and there has been a steep increase in alcohol-related liver
disease.
Bournemouth has one of the highest alcohol-related
death rates in the country for men - it ranks eighth in
the national risk table.
Host Family Shortage
11/04/08
Host families are urgently being sought by
a number of language schools expecting a bumper intake of
students this summer.
BEET Language Centre in Charminster says it
desperately needs more host families because it's already
25 per cent ahead of enrolments compared to this time last
year.
Host families provide accommodation, meals
and the experience of living in a British family for language
students over periods of several weeks to months.
Payment rates this summer are between £84
and £105 per week for a single room, and £68
to £85 for a shared.
More details at 01202 397721 or visit beet.co.uk.
Lark Rise plaque for Winton
10/04/08
A Blue Plaque has been unveiled at one of
the houses in Winton where celebrated author Flora Thompson
lived, wrote and brought up her family.
The move follows extensive research conducted
on this website - including the first published picture
of the house at 2 Edgehill Road. She also lived in Sedgley
and Frederica Roads.
Flora Thompson wrote the classic book Lark
Rise to Candleford which was recently serialised on BBC
Sunday evening television. Wife of the local postmaster,
she educated herself in the then newly opened Winton
Library.
Forum chairman Anson Westwood is standing
as a candidate in the current election for Winton East and
as a consequence it has been decided to cancel the Forum
public meeting that was due to chair on April 14.
The next Forum public meeting will be
on June 23.
Election Campaign Underway
8/04/08
Seven candidates are competing in the scramble
for the Winton East seat on the Borough council.
The seat became vacant on the resignation
of Conservative Councillor Sue Cowley.
The election is set for Thursday May 1. Contesting
the seat are the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Labour,
the UK Independence Party, the British National Party, the
Green Party and an Independent.
Bournemouth Community Church is hoping to
hear this week that Gala have accepted its plan to convert
the former bingo hall and cinema to a church and community
centre.
As part of the project the church wants the
old Moderne cinema to live again. It intends to install
a large screen and high quality projection and sound system
so it would actually be one of the largest cinemas in Bournemouth.
And harking back to the building's heyday more than fifty
years ago, there would be Saturday showings of family films
in the upstairs auditorium.
Just as it provided a springboard for some
of the big names of the "Swinging Sixties" to
make their name on the Moderne stage, it would be made available
to local theatre groups, orchestras,and bands.
The former Gala Bingo Hall / Moderne Cinema
could be converted into a church and community centre.
Bournemouth Borough Council has received
a change of use planning application from the Bournemouth
Community Church. Similar cinemas in other parts of the
country have been converted into church centres.
If the plan goes ahead, the church intends
to make the facilities available to other groups. Part of
the building would be converted into a sports hall.
Chance to save a life
26/03/08
Visitors will get the chance of a 90 minute
life saving course during the open day at Redhill Park Fire
Station.
The sessions will be delivered by staff from
Dorset Fire & Rescue Service, Dorset Police and South
West Ambulance. Places are limited to around 100 and if
you would like to take part in the life-saving skills workshops
you will need to register your interest by contacting Watch
Manager, Stuart Jeneson or Station Manager Dave Arundel
on (01202) 526847.
Apart from the life saving sessions there
will be an opportunity for all visitors to see the fire
fighting equipment and meet the crews.
The event is on Saturday May 3rd between 10am-
4pm
Flats for Denmark Road
26/03/08
Developers want to demolish the existing building
at 9 Denmark Road and erect a 3 storey block of 7 flats.
There will be an integral bin store and secure cycle store.
No parking is being offered with this site.
There have been applications for flats on
both 4 and 7 Denmark Road which have been refused by the
Council and are awaiting a public hearing due to be held
on the 14th May at the Town Hall.
More recently there has been a planning application
for 7 Denmark Road for change of use from a B1 classification
to a B2.
Changes for motorists
25/03/08
Changes are being introduced to make enforcement
of parking and traffic regulations clearer and fairer.
As from April 1 Parking Attendants will be
called Civil Enforcement Officers. Parking Charge Notices
(PCN) can be issued by post if the vehicle is driven away
when the officer is in the process of issuing the PCN or
considers his/her personal safety may be compromised
There will be two tier PCNs depending on the
severity of the parking offence - £70 reduced to £35
if paid within 14 days for contraventions with the potential
to compromise road safety or cause congestion and £50
reduced to £25 for contraventions of parking place
legislation in both on and off street locations e.g. overstaying
your parking time.
A wider range of parking contraventions will
include parking on zig zag approaches to pedestrian crossings,
parking HGVs on verges and central reservations and parking
on a cycle lane. There are also changes to the way appeals
can be made including more information on PCNs to explain
how vehicle owners may make a representation if they wish
to challenge the PCN, the council having to respond within
56 days to any formal appeal against the issue of a PCN
and a Notice to an owner cannot be served by the Council
more than 6 months from the date of the PCN.
Thwarted developers resubmit flats plan
19/03/08
There has been an application to build a 2-3
storey block of 14 flats with bin and cycle stores at 13
– 15 Privet Road
The developers recently lost an appeal on
this site for flats but have resubmitted with no parking
on offer this time.
Environmental black out
18/03/08
Reach out for your Radio Times - the Council
is urging everybody to switch off their electricity for
an hour at 8PM on 29 March.
The "Earth Hour" is part of a global
initiative designed to inspire people to take action on
climate change and global warming.
Residents can look forward to an improved
meals on wheels service from 1st April.
The service will be controlled by Bournemouth
Borough Council in partnership with a local commercial meals
delivery service.
Users will benefit from a 7-day a week, 365
days a year service offering good quality hot meals with
a selection of menu choices delivered each day. Residents
receiving these meals pay for the food and the delivery
cost continues to be paid for by the Council
The Council is tendering the service out to
commercial meal delivery operators and dedicating funds
to research and develop new initiatives to help people at
risk of malnourishment.
Residents interested in a meals delivery service
can look in telephone directory under ‘Food and Drink
Delivery’ or alternatively contact the Councils Care
Direct team. Tel: 01202 454979.
Curtains for silver screen
14/03/08
Residents have been told that there is little
chance of the former Gala bingo hall being restored to its
former glory as a classic 1930's Art Deco cinema.
A public meeting, arranged by Moordown ward
councillors, heard that there was no possibility of the
building being listed and that the council did not have
the funds to keep it as a community facility.
It is understood that an approach has been
made by at least one community organisation, but they did
not have the money to carry through their proposals. The
Bournemouth Community Church has publically expressed an
aspiration to take over the building.
Residents were assured that in the event of
redevelopment, guidelines would be drawn up that were sympathetic
to the neighbourhood. Gala still has not said what it intends
to do with the building.
Death of Senior Winton policeman
14/03/08
Tributes are being paid to Inspector Neil
Munroe whose body was found on the Sandbanks shoreline early
yesterday morning.
As North Bournemouth Section Commander, based
at Winton, Inspector Munroe was a well known local figure.
Investigations into the circumstances of his death are continuing.
Winton Forum Chairman Anson Westbrook issued
this statement:
"On behalf of the Winton Community Forum
I wish to express our shock and deep sense of loss on the
death of Inspector Neil Munroe.
Based at Winton for two and a half years,
he was a good friend to the Forum and the community. He
played, for example, an invaluable role in supporting the
Winton Carnival.
He was a man who gave his best for Winton
over the period he was at Winton Police Station and did
so with a great sense of fairness and good humour. His advice
and friendship were always greatly valued.
Our thoughts are with his family at this very
sad time."
Election date set
13/03/08
Winton is set to elect its replacement for
Councillor Sue Cowley on May 1st.
An election will take place on the same day
in neighbouring Queens Park and Charminster where controversial
Conservative Councillor Alex Adams has resigned. He was
criticised for poor attendance at council meetings and apparently
deceiving the electorate.
He stood on an "anti-developer"
platform although he was in fact a developer linked to a
planning application in Charminster.
Councillor resigns Winton seat
10/03/08
A Winton councillor has resigned after less
than a year in office.
Conservative councillor Sue Cowley won 933
votes in the May 2007 election for Winton East . It was
the second best total in the ward. She was only narrowly
beaten by husband Nigel Cowley who achieved 983.
Mrs Cowley says, "It has been a
rewarding experience and a great honour to represent the
residents of Winton and I would like to thank everyone for
their support. It is not a decision I have made lightly.
It has been difficult at times juggling so many different
things and still retaining some work, family, life, balance.
I am hoping that I will be able to achieve this now".
Future of the Gala Bingo Hall
10/03/08
There are reports that prominent local housing
developer Dave Wells is expressing an interest in the former
Gala Bingo hall in Wimborne Road.
Gala has not yet said what it intends to do
with the building which internally boasts some striking
1930's architectural features and has the capacity of a
1500 seat cinema.
Residents concerned about the fate of the
building are being urged to attend a meeting with the Moordown
ward councillors.
The Moordown Ward public meeting is scheduled
for 7PM, Thursday 13th March in the Hall of the Church of
the Nazarene (corner of Mayfield Road / Queen Mary Avenue,
Moordown).
A 47 year old man has been arrested after
two men were threatened by a man with a samurai sword near
the Embassy Youth Club.
Both incidents happened early on the evening
of Saturday March 1 in Brassey Road, not far from its junction
with Wimborne Road.
Both victims are thought to have been in their
late teens and are not believed to have been hurt. One ran
for help to a nearby house, the other escaped and called
the police. The swordsman is described as wearing a camouflage
jacket.
Police want to hear from anybody who saw the
incident, and especially from the second man who did not
contact the police.
Forum chief demands Uni action over riot
3/03/08
Winton Community Forum Chair Anson Westbrook
has issued the following statement following the disturbances
in the Latimer Road area:
"Following this very serious incident
, what action are the University/Arts College going to take
to prevent this from happening again ?
The irresponsibility of the students in advertising
an open party on the web defies belief and they should be
dealt with severely by the University/Arts college.
Following a survey of members, the Forum held
a public meeting to discuss the problems of ‘Studentification’
with the University/Arts College and Local Authority and
Police.
Residents at this meeting were extremely vocal
and expressed their concerns about the anti-social behaviour
of some people who attended these institutions.
The Forum were assured by the College representatives
that they would be consulted on a planned approach to address
resident concerns. The Forum was not consulted on this very
important issue, however the University has issued some
guide lines, which we have now published (see below).
We in the Forum would also like to know what
Councillor Paul Hughes, appointed as the Student and University
representative, is doing about it."
The following is the text of the Action
Plan produced by the University in response to the Forum
meeting:
Residents to phone 524111 giving their name and address
to BU security staff/answer phone with details of
their concerns - depending on the nature of the issue
it may be more sensible for them to contact, for example,
the police or environmental health. The University
will investigate the complaint, to identify whether the
incident involves BU students and then follow up with
a visit or letter as appropriate - available from mid-February.
BU ICR department to produce materials for local, eg,
Winton Forum websites - materials available with immediate
effect.
Production of a leaflet for students emphasising
the need to act as good neighbours, recycling tips etc
- should be ready in March/April.
BU to invite residents to the University on a termly
basis to allow discussion of developing issues - this
would include Talbot Village residents as well as those
from Winton and beyond.
Production of a Code of Conduct for students in private
rented accommodation adapted from that for students
in BU managed accommodation - should be ready in March/April.
Production of a joint BU-Council leaflet for residents
giving key contacts and useful information - aim for the
start of the next academic year, September 08.
Drunken mob runs riot
3/03/08
Police fought to contain a near riot on the
streets of Winton in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Residents say as around two hundred drunken
teenagers ran amok in the Latimer Road area, some climbing
onto scaffolding around the newly constructed mosque.
It is understood that police were first called
about a noisy party at around 11PM on Friday night, but
were told to call the Environmental Health Department.
The drunken mob descended on Latimer road
after a university student had advertised a party there
on the Bebo internet social networking site.
As events rapidly got out of hand and violence
spilled out onto nearby streets, a helicopter, police dogs
and officers in riot gear were called in to try and impose
order. Groups of drunken teenagers were finally shepherded
away from the immediate area.
The police support helicopter hovered over
streets between Wimborne Road and Charminster Road for some
time.
At one point Wimborne Road was closed off
by police vehicles. Three people were arrested and one treated
for injuries.
Residents report that alcohol was being sold
from a table outside the property. Officers were pelted
with bottles and cans.
The student house was two doors down from
a property where a cannabis factory had been discovered
a couple of months ago.
Calm was not restored to the area until about
3AM.
Armed Raid on Tesco Express
27/02/05
Police are appealing for witnesses after an
armed raid on the Tesco Express near Northbourne Roundabout.
It happened just before 10AM on Monday 25
February when three men threatened staff with knives and
got a way with cash from the tills and safe.
The
men were wearing almost identical outfits of balaclavas,
blue fleeces, blue jeans and white gloves. Two men were
wearing white trainers and one was wearing black trainers.
They were all of medium build and around five feet ten inches
tall.
The gang made its getaway in a silver Mercedes,
registration HD02 OAX, which had been stolen from Talbot
Woods on the previous Saturday night. The car was later
found in Georgian Way.
Police want to hear from anybody who saw the
robbery or may have seen the car.
Cannabis Factory Blaze
18/02/08
Another cannabis factory has been unearthed
- this time after fire teams turned up to tackle a fire
on the premises.
The blaze broke out at the house in Cyril
Road early on Sunday morning. Fire-fighters were surprised
to discover rooms full of mature cannabis plants and a sophisticated
heating and lighting system. Local people thought the house
had been rented out to students.
Other houses in the street were without power
for several hours as a result of the fire.
Cannabis man jailed
16/2/08
An illegal immigrant from Vietnam has been
jailed after being caught running a cannabis farm in Charminster.
The 43 year old was arrested during a raid
in January and now faces eighteen months imprisonment and
deportation. The man had sold his home and paid more than
£10,000 to travel to the UK.
The court heard that the house in Shaftesbury
Road had been comprehensively equipped for cannabis cultivation
and more than 300 plants were growing there at the time
of the raid.
More Drug Raids
5/02/08
Police have carried out Valentine's Day drug
raids on houses in Pine Road and Queens Park.
Mature cannabis plants and a sophisticated
heating, lighting and watering system were discovered at
the Queens Park property along with thousands of pounds
in cash and a quantity of white powder suspected of being
a controlled drug.
Several people including a 31 year old man
from Winton were arrested, questioned and subsequently released
on police bail.
Items believed to be used in cannabis
cultivation were seized at the house in Pine Road.
Police say the operations were mounted in response to tip
offs from local people.
Ello ello ello
5/2/08
Residents are to get a chance to meet the
local community police officers at a special surgery in
Winton Library.
There will be an opportunity to discuss matters
of concern in confidence as well as simply get to know officers
who are often the first point of contact with the police.
The surgery is between 3.15 and 4.15PM on
Thursday 28 February.
Drug sweep nets Winton cannabis factories
24/1/08
Police
have uncovered two cannabis factories in Winton.
The sophisticated facilities were revealed
after raids on ordinary houses in Parker and Hankinson Roads.
Police described the installation in Hankinson
road as substantial. Four rooms were filled with cannabis
plants. Electricity was being tapped from the mains and
the rooms were linked to a large ventilation system that
led up to the roof. A pumping system supplied water and
the bath was full of chemicals.
The discoveries were part of a sweep that
unearthed a total of six cannabis factories including ones
in Capstone and Shaftsbury Roads in Charminster. The street
value of cannabis seized in the operation is thought to
be around £2 million.
Police describe the operation as "intelligence
led" and want to hear from anybody who believes a property
is being used to cultivate cannabis.
Bingo's last call
23/1/08
Gala has confirmed that its Wimborne Road
Bingo club is to close on 10 February.
Cited reasons include falling attendance,
online bingo, television gambling games and the smoking
ban in public places.
Negotiations are underway with staff. Some
may be made redundant while others may be transferred to
other clubs. Club members are already being promised a big
farewell party.
The likely fate of the art-deco building is
still unknown.
For more details read "Death knell for
the palace of dreams" just down this page.
We have now added a pictorial "walk
round" of the building.
German church demolished
21/1/08
The
German church in Moordown has been demolished almost exactly
a year since the last service was held there.
The Martin Luther Kirche was established in
the 1960's and served the German-speaking community across
Dorset and the New Forest.
Supported over many years by a dance school
that used its hall in Easter Road, it was finally decreed
uneconomic and sold. The site is now to be turned over to
housing.
The church bell, however, has not fallen silent.
It has been transported half way across the world and is
now calling a church congregation to prayer in Namibia,
South West Africa.
One of Winton and Moordown's most prominent
buildings is under threat of closure and demolition.
Gala
has named its Bingo Club in Wimborne Road as one of several
due for the axe because of falling membership.
It is feared that the art-deco building could
be demolished and replaced with flats. Once a cutting edge
example of classic 30's architectural design the former
Moderne cinema has played a part in the lives of countless
local people for more than seventy years.
It was not only the starting point for many
courtships and romances, its talent contests also launched
the careers of some big names in pop music.
Moves are now underway to see if it can be
preserved. Suggestions include it being a new home for Bournemouth
Community Arts or a Heritage Centre.
Winton is to have its own Citizens Advice
Bureau from 5 February.
The service aims to try and resolve debt,
benefits, housing, legal, discrimination, employment, immigration,
consumer and other problems and is available to everyone
regardless of race, gender, sexuality, age, nationality,
disability or religion.
It will be based at Winton Resource Centre
on Wimborne Road. Appointments can be made by phoning 290967.
Stateside break for Winton film maker
4/1/08
A film from a Winton-born director is to get
a showing at a top international festival.
Carlo Ortu's "Safe Zone" is to be
shown at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in
California later this month, and at a Hollywood festival
in February.
Dealing with the emotional consequences of
a serviceman's tour of duty in Afghanistan, it has already
been nominated for a UK Film Council Award for best film
at the London Short Film Festival in a couple of weeks time.
Carlo Ortu grew up in Winton. The thirty two
year old film-maker lived first in Pine Road and later in
Hankinson Road. He attended St. Luke's Primary School and
Bournemouth School before gaining a first-class honours
degree in Media Production from Bournemouth University.
He both wrote and directed "Safe Zone".
It is the latest in a series of short films. More information
can be found on his website www.sugarspunpictures.com.
First International Forum Member
1/1/08
Winton Community Forum has conferred a New
Year Honour - and named its first honorary overseas member.
Rosemary and husband Jim
Rosemary Jankowski made a Christmas visit
to our web site from her home in Winton Minnesota. She was
so impressed that she applied to register for membership
of the Forum. The application was considered and she was
granted honorary overseas membership.
Rosemary's ties with the Minnesota Winton
go back to her birth there in 1937. Her early married years
were spent in Chicago, but the lure of Winton drew her back.
She and her husband raised a family of five
there. He was Mayor of Winton for nine years but died tragically
young from a rare liver disease.
For many years Rosemary served as the Winton
postal clerk and helped her second husband run the Fat Chicken
feed store which incorporates the Post Office.
They retired five years ago to their home
just North of Winton. It is surrounded by forest wildlife
including whitetail deer and wolves.
Rosemary says she is proud to be a member
of our Community forum and sends her very best wishes to
everybody in Winton for the coming year.
Girl attacked near Winton Rec
13/12/07
Detectives in Bournemouth
are appealing for help in tracking down a man who assaulted
a teenage girl in Heron Court Road.
The incident happened in the road near Winton
Rec between 8.45pm and 9pm on the evening of Tuesday, 11
December 2007. The man jumped out of the bushes and grabbed
her, but she broke free and ran off.
Detective Sergeant Kim Goodenough said: “The
14 year old victim wasn’t physically injured but understandably
shocked, scared and upset by her ordeal and it’s vital
that I find the man responsible.
“The victim describes him as white, with
a local accent and although he spoke with the girl I don’t
want to go into details about what he said.
“I do know that there were several other
young people not far from where this incident happened and
so I’m appealing to the youngsters who were in Heron
Court Road on Tuesday evening to come forward urgently.
“It’s quite likely that the young
people may be unaware of what happened to the girl, and
because of this they may not realise that they could have
vital information about the incident or the man responsible.”
Police officers carried out house-to-house
enquiries in the immediate area and specialist crime scene
investigators have examined the scene.
Woolworths Ram Raid
28/11/07
The front of the Winton Woolworths store has
been badly damaged in a ram raid.
A Ford Fiesta was repeatedly reversed into
the main doors at around 7AM on Wednesday 28 November. The
driver had already shunted another car out of the way in
order to make the attack.
He appeared initially trapped in the vehicle
but escaped out of a window. A man in his twenties was arrested
shortly afterwards by police in a nearby road.
Wimborne Road was closed for over three hours
as the vehicle was removed. Temporary repair work continued
through the day and into the evening.
Charity swimmer
27/11/07
A Winton woman has completed a "cross-channel"
swim to raise hundreds of pounds for charity. Miriam Bray
swam the 22 miles in stages at the Stokewood Road baths.
The money goes to Brain Tumour UK. Miriam
was motivated to do the charity swim after a close relative
was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
She says "Brain Tumour UK is a fantastic
support for those with this relatively rare and
particularly devastating form of cancer." The website
is still open for donations.
Flying Doctor
27/11/07
Local doctor, borough councillor and Forum
member Nigel Cowley has completed a half marathon in aid
of the Boscome Crumbs charity.
The 13 mile event was staged in Portsmouth.
He did it in just under 1 hour 20 minutes.
Burglar alert - student targets
15/11/07
Residents are being warned to check home security
and keep valuables out of sight after a wave of burglaries
in the Charminster area.
Police believe several criminals are involved.
Many of the victims have been students and properties were
normally entered through insecure doors or windows.
Stolen goods include valuable electronic equipment
such as lap-tops, mobile phones, personal MP3 players and
DVD players.
Detectives want to hear from anyone being
offered such items cheaply, or knowing of such items being
sold. You can call them on 222222.
Police recommend owners registering their
valuable possessions with the free database www.immobilise.com
which allows owners to record serial numbers and make it
easier for stolen property to be returned to them.
Cleaning up the streets
15/11/07
Volunteers have cleared more than twenty bags
of litter in big sweep across Winton.
Seventeen people of all ages took part in
the two hour "Litter Pick" of roads and open spaces.
The team included local councillors Sue Cowley and Paul
Hughes. The only major part they missed was Wimborne Road,
which is cleaned daily by the Council anyway. Completion
of the mission was rewarded with tea and cakes at the local
Community Church.
Gloves, bags and litter picking equipment
were loaned by Bournemouth Council. The event was organised
by community worker Lucy Shattock.
Plucky pickers - some of the
volunteers and their haul
New appeal in Barnett murder case
12/11/2007
Detectives investigating the horrific murder
of Bournemouth mother Heather Barnett have issued a fresh
appeal to the public after new scientific analysis of the
cut hair found in the victim’s right hand.
They are appealing for help in identifying
and tracing the owner of the cut hair. Chemical and isotope
analysis shows that the person visited eastern Spain and
or southern France for up to six days some eleven weeks
before the hair was cut. They then visited the urban area
of Tampa in Florida, southern USA, for eight days some two
to two and a half weeks before the hair was cut.
The new appeal comes on the fifth anniversary
of Heather’s mutilated body being found by her two
children in the bathroom of her ground floor flat in Capstone
Road, just after 4pm on Tuesday, 12 November 2002.
Detectives are appealing for anyone who undertook,
or recognises, the patterns of travel to the southern USA
and southern Europe - before Tuesday, 12 November, 2002
- to call detectives in confidence via a special hotline
on 01202 222 500 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers
line on 0800 555 111.
Accident Black Spot
3/11/07
New
safety measures are being introduced after another accident
at the junction of Maxwell and Heron Court Roads.
Council officials hope to have installed a
long promised interactive speed safety sign by the end of
November. They also propose tactile paving at the junction.
Continuing negotiations are underway with
the Dorset Safety Camera Partnership to extend speed enforcement
in the area.
Some cars have been clocked at around 60mph
as they approach the junction. Several have ended up in
nearby gardens.
Graffiti Blitz - Free Removal
2 /11/07
A
12 month campaign has been launched to remove all graffiti
daubed at low level up to four square metres in size from
brickwork, concrete or similar surfaces, free of charge
from any property in Bournemouth.
Any larger area of graffiti or one located
at high level needing specialist equipment to remove it
will be assessed and discussed with the property owner.
In these cases there is likely to be a charge.
Graffiti on painted or stained services will
be assessed to see what materials would be needed for it
to be removed or painted over. In some cases householders
would be expected to produce the required paint for the
work. Providing the cost is less than £100 the graffiti
will be removed by the council team. If the cost is more
than £100 the property owner will be charged.
To take advantage of the service or report
graffiti call 451199. There is a £250 reward for information
leading to a conviction.
Explosion alert
30/10/07
Scores of people were evacuated to safety in the early
hours of Monday morning after fears of an explosion rocking
houses in a Winton street.
Firemen were called to tackle a midnight blaze engulfing
a shed and a van in the back garden of a house on the corner
of Edgehill and Hawthorn Roads. The evacuation was ordered
when there were reports that gas cylinders might be present.
Residents were given temporary shelter at Winton Methodist
Church. They were allowed to return to their homes at around
6 in the morning.
Charminster sex raid
27/10/07
A 28-year-old man was arrested in connection
with brothel, drugs and money laundering offences after
a police raid on a house in Charminster.
Two young women of South East Eastern appearance
were also escorted from the building. The raid took place
on the evening of Thursday 25 October and was part of Operation
Pentameter 2 - a national campaign to tackle human trafficking
and sex trade exploitation.
Police say women and girls from Eastern Europe
and the Far East and being forced into prostitution across
the region. They are appealing for tip offs from neighbours
about suspicious activity such as numbers of strange callers
or continually drawn curtains.
Litter purge
17/10/07
Local people are being invited to help spruce
up Winton and take part in a drive to clear litter.
If you want to take part in the litter pick,
meet at the small park area next to Winton Library on the
WImborne Road at 11am on Saturday 10th November.
The communal effort is expected to take about
three hours. It is being organised by the council's local
neighbourhood worker Lucy Shattock
Kids journey into Winton's past
15/10/07
Children are to get a chance to experience
some of the games they would have played in Winton a century
ago.
As part of the celebrations of Winton Library's
centenary birthday, they're being invited to come in for
a trip through the fashions and pastimes of the past hundred
years.
Staff will be dressed in period costumes ranging
from Edwardian through to the 50's. Among the activities
- dressing Edwardian dolls, creating a 3D model of a Victorian
parlour, spinning tops, traditional colouring sheets, and
exploring a Winton timeline.
It all happens during half term at Winton
Library between 9.30 and 12 on Thursday, 25 October.
Winton parents are being asked what extra
services they would like to see offered by local schools.
By 2010 schools should be providing access
to:
High quality childcare on or near the school site from
8am-6pm all year
A range of activities including homework and study support
but also sport, music, drama, arts & crafts
Parenting support including information when children
change year or move on to secondary school, specific programmes
run with other services to allow you and your children
to learn together
Swift and easy access to health and social care support
services like speech and language development, child and
adolescent mental health services, intensive behaviour
support, sexual health services
Wider access by the whole community to computer, sports
and arts facilities and adult learning.
Surveys will go out from schools before half
term with return-by dates in November. Make sure your preferences
are taken into account!
Teenager arrested - renewed police appeal
5/10/07
A fifteen year old youth has been arrested
and questioned in connection with the attack on a Syrian-born
man in Winton Recreation Ground.
He was subsequently released on police bail
and police are appealing for more infomation.
Acting Inspector Wayne Nock says: “I’m
disappointed with the response we’ve had to our appeal
for witnesses as I know there were lots of people nearby
when the incident occurred."
"As well as other witnesses there were
a large number of young people in, or near the group that
included the person who allegedly carried out the assault,
and I’m appealing to those young people to please come
forward urgently and help us with our inquiry.”
A £200 reward is still on offer for
information leading to a conviction.
The
men were wearing almost identical outfits of balaclavas,
blue fleeces, blue jeans and white gloves. Two men were
wearing white trainers and one was wearing black trainers.
They were all of medium build and around five feet ten inches
tall.
Police
have uncovered two cannabis factories in Winton.
The
German church in Moordown has been demolished almost exactly
a year since the last service was held there.
Gala
has named its Bingo Club in Wimborne Road as one of several
due for the axe because of falling membership.
New
safety measures are being introduced after another accident
at the junction of Maxwell and Heron Court Roads.
A
12 month campaign has been launched to remove all graffiti
daubed at low level up to four square metres in size from
brickwork, concrete or similar surfaces, free of charge
from any property in Bournemouth. 