WE ARE RECRUITING
30 March
Last Sunday, we went to see the Railway Society’s Exhibition at the Allendale Centre. What a lot to see! These enthusiasts have rebuilt models of Wimborne Railway Station and several others and they are clever, exact replicas and beautiful to see. The Chair showed us round brilliantly and we went away so impressed. At Full Council on Tuesday, we discussed many items: councillors holding regular surgeries; an update from the police – the safer spaces scheme is going ahead so that shops and businesses can display a badge and anyone lost, worried or anxious can enter and get help; CCTV improved; new sports and leisure Forum approved; new quarterly Council Newsletter approved. The Town Liaison Group met on Friday: update on appointing a project Manager for the Town of Culture; Mayor’s fundraising update; BID Discover Wimborne in April outlined; U3A update from the Chair, Ashley Rowlands; Planet Wimborne’s coming events highlighted.
Next Tuesday April 1 is the Annual Parishioners’ Meeting at the Allendale at 7pm – all be there!
23 March
Busy week! Finance committee on Tuesday. Auction of Promises on Wednesday: we raised £1800 for the two Mayor’s charities; St Michael’s Middle School were so accommodating; people who attended were so generous; this is the largest amount raised at one event. Thursday was Wimborne Business Awards at The Allendale: lovely occasion with lots of excited winners – The Lion Hotel was the Winner of Winners. Saturday was the Freedom of the Town to 280 (NATO) Signal Squadron, based in Blandford: pomp and ceremony galore; the band of the Grenedier Guards played great music; the parade round the town was well supported by onlookers; good food and drink afterwards at the RBL. This was one of the best events I have attended this mayoral year. Well done to Gary Mason who managed the complex operation with skill and dexterity.
16 March
Last Monday was Commonwealth Day. We gathered at the Town Hall : Town Crier announced the event; I read a message from the King; we unfurled the Commonwealth flag.
Image courtesy of Wimborne MinsterTown Council
Tuesday saw a visit to Allenbourne Middle School to welcome the French Twinning Exchange students. This was a joyous occasion and I even managed a brief welcome speech in French! The school was delighted with their recent very positive Ofsted report and we congratulate them on this. Tuesday also saw a new group meet at the Town Hall; the School Council Steering Group – a small group of students to lead the town’s School Council – we discussed what they wanted for a good Youth Service in the town. One original idea was for a shop to be opened for the youth where they could swap or sell their clothes and possessions as well as enjoy a café and advice.
Wednesday was Planet Wimborne Directors’ meeting where we started to vision the next Green Festival which may have a new Youth Day with workshops and performances related to the environment. The two other Directors (Linda Bunting and Neil Smith) give so much time for Planet Wimborne with some great outcomes.
Thursday included a visit to Streetlight on the Stone Lane estate to see the skating and soft play areas and talk about integrating Youth Services across Wimborne. The afternoon was spent in Corfe Mullen at the joint working group exploring Julian Bridge solutions. Busy week!
9 March
Tuesday was a big day for Wimborne – the pancake race around the Minster! Crowds gathered to see the heats and finals and for the first time in many years, this took place in the open air. Memories: all the older people being raced round the Minster at double speed in wheelchairs; the toddler race that was run twice to the delight of the kiddies; the new head of Wimborne First School winning; the cross loser who destroyed his frying pan; Mr Oliver in his chef hat. Great fun.
Friday was a big night for Wimborne in Bloom – the annual Quiz. The Councillors’ Team was table number 28 so there were lots there! Brilliantly organised if not choreographed, the evening was a great success: friendly and jovial atmosphere; manageable difficulty in the questions; generous wine and food; great to see the whole town enjoying a social occasion.
Yes, it’s true that Wimborne has won the competition to be Dorset’s Town of Culture in 2026. Not an easy feat: formal application; visit by the judges; 4 towns shortlisted; Wimborne the winner. The judges were impressed with many aspects of our bid: the short film to accompany the bid – Link to the Video; the judges’ visit where we took them on a magical mystery tour of Wimborne; the collaboration planned for 2026; the judges said their visit to the town ‘blew them away! So what for Wimborne now:
Matched funding of £30,000 from Dorset County;
Opportunity to bid for £200,000 to the Arts Council;
New cultural experiences for those who have not in the past enjoyed them;
Culture taken to the estates surrounding the town;
Better year for businesses and shops;
Improved opportunities for the existing cultural groups in the town.
I think that is a good moment to end this blog!
2 March
Attended a full Town Council on Tuesday 25 February evening – our meetings are now transmitted live on YouTube. The Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset came and updated us – we asked him about the Safer Spaces scheme which we want in Wimborne asap – businesses and shops have a sign which means they will help if you were worried, lost or concerned. The Commissioner gave a positive picture of crime rates dropping – shoplifting is Wimborne’s main concern.
On Wednesday, we had the Mayor’s Lunch at The Wimborne Pig – around 30 people attended and enjoyed an excellent two course lunch and some pleasant jazz music. We raised around £200 for the Mayor’s charities and had a great time.
aturday was Planet Wimborne’s community engagement workshop – twenty members looking at ways for PW to become even more effective. Good workshop.