Services A-Z
30th June 2024
We had a Full Council meeting on Tuesday this week. We agreed to grant funding to four charities: the Militia; Citizens’ Advice; the Reef Youth Centre; Dial a Ride. A representative interested in the future of Pippins spoke eloquently how this land in the centre of the town should be used to enhance the natural environment. The Mayor’s fundraising programme was approved and the scout, guide and cadet to accompany the Mayor agreed. The new Town Crest was admired for installation shortly outside the Town Hall and the designer thanked. The Dorset police had submitted an update.
Armed Forces Day was on Saturday 29 June and the Council worked with the Museum of East Dorset to mount an event at the Museum. I prepared some words:
‘I’d like to welcome you all to this year’s Armed Forces Day which allows us to thanks all our current and past armed forces for their dedication, hard work and commitment. We in Wimborne are heavily engaged in the military with many forces stations based around us. We are fortunate to have this opportunity today to recognise the brave efforts of all armed personnel and we salute your courage and tenacity’.
Finally, on Sunday 30 June, I attended a charity tennis event at Redcotts to remember the life and achievements of Rob Stillman who died very young recently. It was an honour to present the prizes from the competition
15th June 2024
The Town Mayor was unable to attend the “Celebration of Peace” commemoration service in Valognes on Saturday 22nd June 2024. The Mayor sent across this message to the Town Mayor of Valognes
“Celebration of Peace” commemoration – Celebrating the liberation of our Twinned town in France “Valognes”
Bonjour mes amis!
I am delighted to offer a few words from your twin town Wimborne Minster to celebrate the bravery and success of the D-Day events.
In Wimborne Minster, we had a great D-Day on June 6 with lots happening: service at the Minster; re-enactment by Wimborne Community Theatre; entertainment; poetry competition; parade to the cemetery where cannons were fired and a brazier lit. We all hope and expect your celebrations to go very well in Valognes.
In the UK, all schools at 11am on D-Day heard a poem written by veteran Roy Palmer – here is the last part:
The time had come to fight, no further need for speeches.
Beaches were Mined, Barbed wire laid, metal tripods and many hazards
Were set to kill, maim and make things awkward.
Over Ten-Thousand casualties, the Allies had that first day.
With over Four-Thousand dead, a heavy price to pay.
D-Day made Heroes, in that hell unknown.
Helping turn the Tide of War, as the Enemy were overthrown
In Wimborne Minster, the Town Council organised a poetry competition for schools – over 200 poems were submitted with prizes given to the best entries. The winning young poets read their work aloud to a large crowd in the town on D-Day. Congratulations to these great young writers.
Only recently, we welcomed the Valognes twinning association to Wimborne and I think you all had a great time. This was my first Mayoral event as I was only elected in the previous week! I really enjoyed meeting you all and with you hearing the marching band play so marvellously.
Wimborne Minster is very keen to engage and support the twinning association to help build firm ties with our sister country and celebrate the wonderful aspects of life in Valognes and Wimborne Minster. I hope the weekend goes very well and you all have a great time.
Let’s reflect this weekend on for those brave men and women 80 years ago who overturned the war and made victory possible to give us the freedom we enjoy today. We will be forever grateful for their sacrifice and bravery.
6th June 2024
Busy week! Town Council meeting on Tuesday when we co-opted 7 new councillors to start a process to increase the number of councillors. Thursday was D-Day: acted in Wimborne Community Theatre’s D-Day play at five venues round the town and also a moving performance at Streets Meadow where the residents joined in, ‘We’ll Meet Again’. Presented prizes and certificates to four D-Day poetry competition winners (from over 200 entries). The winners read their poems aloud at Willow Walk – splendid! Then onto a Service at the Minster to remember the fallen – grave but inspirational and a great address by the Associate Priest. The Town then walked in homage from Willow Walk to the Cemetery, led by the Marching Band. There, we heard poetry from the Town Crier and I read aloud the ‘They Shall Not Grow Old’ homily. The Militia fired cannons and the Fire Service lit a beacon – wonderful commemorative acts attended by several hundred Wimborne people. Saturday was Folk Festival Weekend – led the parade through the town with the Militia and Town Crier and the Mayoress – huge crowds enjoying the fortunate sunny weather. What a week for the town!