ebook img

View from Weymouth, January 5, 2011 PDF

92.4 MB·English
Save to my drive
Quick download
Download
Most books are stored in the elastic cloud where traffic is expensive. For this reason, we have a limit on daily download.

Preview View from Weymouth, January 5, 2011

m oWeymouth outh r f w & Portland e i v www.viewfromonline.co.uk PICK UP YOUR FREE COPY Issue 78Thursday, January 6 2011 Council campaign to rescue Portland Coastguard station WEYMOUTH and Port- by harry Walton land council has launched a campaign to try and save Portland Coastguard from pansion of Portland Port’s closure. operations and the plans The authority is urging for other major marine the Government to think based operations with pro- again because it is “vital” posals being submitted to for the coastguard site to ENECO for construction be retained in the borough. and service operations as- Management committee sociated with the West of Suppliers and fitters of chairman and corporate af- Wight offshore wind farm. All Commercial flooring fairs spokesman Council- (cid:0) hoPing to KEEP Mr Petherick said: “All 01305 777777 lor Geoff Petherick has of these factors add con- Suppliers and fitters of Carpet, thE CoAStgUARD: written to Under Secretary siderable weight to the vinyl, wood, laminate, Karndean of State for Transport Mike Councillor geoff Peth- case for supporting the re- Large stockist of carpet and vinyl Penning highlighting a erick is writing to the tention of a Portland number of reasons to jus- government Coastguard office to com- Free Estimates and Parking tify keeping Portland the 2012 Olympic events. plement the helicopter Telephone: 01305 839636 Coastguard. He also drew Mr Pen- service which is based at He said that major inter- ning’s attention to the ex- TURNto page 3 www.topmarkcarpets.com national sailing events Unit 11, Granby Court, Surrey Close, were planned well beyond Honoured citizens Granby Industrial Estate, Weymouth, DT4 9XB A WEYMOUTH man has been recognised in the New Year’s honours list. Martyn Hastings, 64, of Broadwey, received the MBE for services to the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme in Dorset and Kenya. He has links with Muragi in Kenya and through his charity, the Dorset Expeditionary Society, built a health centre and repaired classrooms. His community work in Kenya continues through a number of visits he and his wife, Josie, make each year to Kenya. That contact has seen many students and other people visit the Kenyan community to work and help there, visits which recently included 22 teachers from the Chesil Education Partnership. Other awards include an MBE for Lesley Benham for services to dementia care in Weymouth. Mrs Benham, who comes from Dorchester, is team leader at Melcombe Day Hospital in Weymouth where her efforts have greatly benefited dementia sufferers through improved mental stimulation using every- thing from games to music and memory boxes. WEYMOUTH’S VERY OWN FREE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER viewonline24/7 Wednesday 3 viewfromonline.co.uk January 5 2011 ViewNews CONTACT OUR 01297 446057 [email protected] EDITORIAL TEAM www.viewfromonline.co.uk Work to alleviate flooding begins at last Kayakers rescued from sea A MAJOR rescue operation has saved 16 kayakers after they hit trouble in strong tides off Portland Bill. The group from the Upper Hamble Canoe Club in Hamp- LONG awaited drainage improvement works are due to Works will be located in the grassed area in front of the said: “I am delighted that we are now able to go ahead shire sent out two Mayday calls saying they had run into begin at Weymouth’s Southill shopping centre next week. shops and require the reconstruction of a short length of with this work which has been delayed because of pro- difficulties near the Race, an area famed for its viscious The works have been keenly anticipated by local resi- the access road to the car park. tracted negotiations. The work will be completed before tidal conditions. dents since December 2008 when heavy rainfall resulted The centre of the grassed area will be deepened to allow the heavy rains which normally come in the spring.” Portland Coastguard immediately scrambled its rescue in the flooding of homes, shops and the car park. the temporary collection of flood water and its diversion Ward councillor Christine James added: “I am really helicopter from Portland, both lifeboats were launched It is expected that the works will begin on or soon after back into the main drainage culvert which passes under pleased at the news that work is going to begin on this from Weymouth and the customs cutter Valiant responded January 11thand take three to four weeks to complete. the site. The council believes the works will be sufficient scheme. and was also sent to help. During this time it will be necessary to close the lower to deal with flood water should a comparable event hap- “I have been campaigning to get this done since the By now the situation was judged so serious that a second coastguard helicopter was scrambled to the scene from So- entrance to the car park but access to shops and pubs will pen in the future. flooding two years ago and at last we are making lent. remain unaffected. Environment spokesman Councillor Brendan Webster progress.” Once the Portland helicopter reached the kayakers its Bank bomb scare crew reported that the party of two leaders and 14 members Welcome Christmas gift had rafted together in three groups which stabilized the kayaks in turbulent conditions. A METAL container sparked a bomb scare when it was The rescue then went ahead illuminated by searchlights left in a deposit box at Lloyds TSB in Weymouth town from the helicopters and Valiant. centre. Two of the kayakers had to be airlifted to Dorset County Staff became suspicious of the package and called PAYING for a Hospital in Dorchester for treatment, one suffering from police who cordoned off St Thomas Street between new place to severe seasickness and the other from shock and suspected School Street and Bond Street on one of the busiest live has become hypothermia. shopping days of the year. a bit easier for All the remaining kayakers came ashore and were Businesses in the area were closed and staff evacu- the lucky win- checked by paramedics at Portland Marina. aatnedd u usnetdil aa r Roobyoat lt No aXv-yra byo tmheb o dbijsepcot.sal team arrived ner of the Wey- thPiso rhtaladn hda Cpopaesntegdu ahradl fw aant chho mura nlaatgeer ri nB rfuuclle dLaarckkn esassid t:h “eInf They would only identify it as a metal container in mouth there could have been a tragedy because it would have been order not to give any idea of what might be a suspi- Christmas much harder to locate the fragmented groups. cious package. Sparkle grand “Resources were deployed quickly and the helicopter They added that if whoever left the parcel could be draw. from Portland swiftly identified the group of kayakers most identified then they would be talked to because of Charlotte at risk who were struggling in the Race and guided the lifeboat to them. the amount of time spent dealing with it and the cost Mummery is “Helicopters and lifeboats then did a fantastic job both to to businesses in lost takings. pictured here help those most at risk and to ultimately rescue everyone. Council bid to retain receiving a “We would remind all water and shore users that they cheque for £300 need to assess the strengths of the weakest member of their from Weymouth group and make decisions based on that which may not Portland Coastguard Harbourside have happened on this occasion.” Rotary presi- The group — which was equipped with radios and life- FROM page 1 dent Roger jackets and had told coastguards about their trip — had Osprey Quay which is on the same site as the National Hogbin. paddled from Portland Castle round to Chesil Cove and got in to trouble on their return journey. Sailing Academy.” She and her He then went on to make a case for the new southern partner are cur- headquarters of the Marine Coastguard Agency to be rently buying a based in Dorset rather than in the Solent, giving examples new home and of potential locations and the benefits that this area could Charlotte said: offer. “I was really He told Mr Penning: “You will recall that in the 1990s pleased to win Weymouth and Portland lost 4,500 jobs from the defence the cash just sector as a result of the closure of three Naval Ministry of Defence establishments. before Christ- “The area is still struggling to regenerate and diversify mas. It’s going the local economy in the light of this loss and the area is straight in the very much in need of the jobs that a Maritime Coastguard bank!” Agency centre could provide.” WEYMOUTH• 01305 778284BRIDPORT• 01308 424824MOBILE• 07966 134104 FIND US ONLINE @ www.tgmelectrical.co.uk viewonline24/7 view from news Wednesday 5 viewfromonline.co.uk January 5 2011 (cid:1)TAKES YOUR BREATH AWAY: Some of the brave swimmers who plunged in to Weymouth Harbour for charity on Christmas Day Photos by S. LOCKIE WEYMOUTH made a big splash range of charities from Weldmar to Mayoress for supporting us, sec- when more than 150 brave people medical and cancer charities, mili- ondly the Harbourmaster and his tackled the traditional if chilly cross- tary and other local charities. staff for giving us every support, harbour swim on Christmas Day. Lions own funds benefited to the thirdly Weymouth Canoe Lifeguards Several thousand spectators turned tune of about £1,200 from entry fees for the safety cover and last but not out to watch the event organised by and a bucket collection which will go Weymouth Lions Club. to local good causes. least to three commercial organisa- Early estimates put takings raised Weymouth and Portland Mayor tions that have supported us this by swimmers at more than £10,300 Paul Kimber was on hand to present year.” with the money going to a whole medals to various winners including He then thanked Pontoonworks for Hugh Ireland in the jun- the free supply on an artificial beach, ior boys swim, Rebecca Wessex FM for their help in publicis- Man in the junior girls, ing changes to this year’s swim for- Katrina Baker in the mat and the Old Rooms Inn for women’s swim and Niall Laming in the open allowing their premises to be used championship. for registration. The day also saw 116 Mr Addy said: “As ever the event people swim non-com- proved to be the ideal, fun packed petitively in family fun way to pass the time between open- swims. ing presents and having Christmas Lions president David lunch. Addy said: “There are a “It was great fun and it was, as host of people and or- ganisations we would ever, one of the events that makes like to thank for making Weymouth such a good place to live. this popular community Lastly we at Lions would like to event such a success thank the swimmers and the public at (cid:1) NEARLY THERE: One of the swimmers ap- year in year out. large for supporting the event so proaches the finish “Firstly the Mayor and well.” 6 Wednesday view from news viewonline24/7 January 5 2011 viewfromonline.co.uk Weymouth partygoers Where shall I thee wed? FINDING a place to get married is tying people in knots because of the impending closure of Wey- mouth Register Office. The Guildhall premises are being temporarily closed in April so essential renovation work can be carried out to the structure which dates back to 1838 and which replaced an earlier Guildhall dating back to 1618. But the impending work has left more than 30 cou- ples with a wedding day headache over where to get married. County registration service staff had hoped to solve the problem by simply finding a fresh venue but they have been unable to find one so far. Efforts continue to find alternative venues in Wey- mouth and couples will be contacted when one is found, said the service. Cars vandalised VANDALS have damaged three cars in Weymouth. The unattended vehicles were in Walpole Street and police said they were attacked between 4pm on Box- ing Day and 3.30pm on Monday, December 27th. (cid:0)PARTY TIME: Revellers in colourful costumes take to the streets Officers believesome sort of instrument was used to EVERYONE from snowmen to Cyber- by Harry Walton damage the paintwork of a silver Vauxhall Zafira, a red men helped Weymouth and Port- Citroen Xsara and a blue Ford Focus. PC Nikki Grant-Jones, of Weymouth Police said: land start 2011 with a huge party. mouth was a mass of drifting Chinese “Needless to say, this senseless vandalism is costly to New Year celebrations from Easton lanterns. repair and, especially at this time of year, such expense Square to the Esplanade saw streets be- Delighted police said celebrations had is very upsetting for the victims. come a riot of costumes. given them a busy New Year but that “ I am appealing for anyone with information about Characters from the blockbuster 3D there had been no serious injuries and it those responsible to contact me as soon as possible. film Avatar rubbed shoulders with Drac- had all “passed quite well”. All information will be treated in the strictest of confi- ula, wizards worked their magic on Little A spokesman said there had been 15 dence.” Red Riding Hoods and toffs and tarts arrests in West Dorset including Wey- Anyone able to help should contact officers on strolled arm in arm with a motley collec- mouth and Portland for a variety of of- 01305-222222 quoting incident number 27:286 or call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800- tion of characters from ducks to snow- fences including drunkenness, minor 555111. men. assaults and various domestic incidents. Part of Weymouth Esplanade was Among those out and about were Wey- Laptop stolen sealed off for a combined party with live mouth and Portland Mayor and May- music hosted by several seafront oress, Paul Kimber and Helen Carr. A REWARDis being offered for the return of an HP Pavilion laptop computer, plus a camera and watch, nightspots and there were more parties Mr Kimber said: “The celebrations in believed stolen from a room in the Rembrandt Hotel, from Custom House Quay to St Thomas Weymouth and Portland are a great time Weymouth, over the festive period. Street. for young people, but you can see peo- Anyone with information is asked to call Gary Small Fireworks exploded to welcome in the ple of all ages out enjoying themselves. on 07793 409094. New Year and the whole sky above Wey- Just look at the costumes!” viewonline24/7 view from news Wednesday 7 viewfromonline.co.uk January 5 2011 welcome 2011 (cid:1) SPOT ON: It was easy to spot Dalmatians Chloe (cid:1)GNOMEStake over Hope Square Gilmartin (left), Rosie Mauro (centre) and Penelope (cid:1)WEYMOUTHand Portland Mayor and Mayoress, Paul Kimber and Helen Carr, enjoy New Year cele- brations from Town Bridge. 8 Wednesday view from news viewonline24/7 January 5 2011 viewfromonline.co.uk Bigger venue for this The Christian Column AS I SEE IT ... year’s Octoberfest by Geoff Treleaven MEMBERS face a challenge to sell more tickets when Caring for others by Harry Walton the 2011 Octoberfest beer festival is held at Weymouth Pavilion Ocean Room. It hadbeen a long hard winter during which that was the message from West dorset Campaign for the 2011 Octoberfest will be held at Weymouth Pavil- we had been away from our home. We had Real ale chairman dave harris when he spoke at a spe- ion’s Ocean Room on October 7th-8th. now returned to arrange moving out so the cial Pavilion gathering of members. CaMRa spokesman Michel hooper-Immins said: “We new owner could move in. When we arrived, we Pahveil isoanid w: “ilhl corledainteg ao ucrh a2l0le1n1g Oe ctoto sbeelrlf mesot raet tWicekyemts,o ubtuht athree imr koisntd gnreastse faunld t oh oRsopgitearl idtya oltvoenr aenigdh Bt hreawppeyrs y Qeaurasy, bfourt (cid:0)NHS Dorset’s Jane Austin with Brian Wootten found so much drifted snow outside that we could we’re confident it will be just as successful as were our it is clear the proposed redevelopment of Brewers Quay at the diabetes day. not get to the door. eight festivals at Brewers Quay.” would prevent us from using the building next year.” Fortunately, I had come equipped with a shovel Mr harris added that the Ocean Room was bigger than Help for diabetics and accordingly set to work whilst my wife stayed Brewers Quay with the benefit of many more tables and in the car with our baby. Much snow had to be chairs which would certainly be welcomed by next year’s cleared to gain access. It wasn’t long before a festivalgoers. A SELF-CARE event for people with diabetes has near neighbour, suitably dressed and also armed CaMRa members discussed the layout of the Ocean been held at Weymouth College. with a shovel, came alongside to help. Room and welcomed the change of venue, while sam- Diabetes UK arranged the awareness day as the Evidently, he had noticed our arrival, realised pling a pint or two of Elder Sarum, voted top Beer of Oc- first of a series to raise the profile of diabetes. the problem, and added his strength to my efforts. toberfest 2010. Among topics dealt with were how healthy eating When we had cleared a pathway to the front door during the meeting Mr harris presented Paul Smith, can help those with diabetes, how to care for the and I had expressed my gratitude, he just quietly who runs Small Pauls brewery in Gillingham, with the condition, how to manage medicine and how exer- disappeared. how fortunate we were to have such CaMRa top Beer of Octoberfest 2010 award for his a good neighbour and what an example he had set fresh summery brew with fresh elderflowers added. cise can help those who suffer from the condition. drinkers at the festival vote for their favourite beer and West Dorset Diabetes UK chairman Brian Wootten for us all. this year, by a large majority, it was won by Elder Sarum. said: “Nearly 20,000 people have diabetes in south When Jesus was asked for the definition of a Mr harris said: “We’re delighted a North dorset beer and west Dorset while another 2,000 might have neighbour, he told the now famous story of the won the vote. It’s a brilliant beer and Paul Smith is to be the condition but don’t know it. Good Samaritan as recorded in Luke 10:25-37. Of greatly congratulated on his skill and enterprise.” “Diabetes is a major source of work and cost to course, the crunch point was when he told his Paul Smith told fellow CaMRa members how he had local NHS services. enquirer to go and do likewise. started brewing in his garage in 2006 while still working “We hope to help people, who perhaps have just as a traffic engineer for Wiltshire County Council. found out that they have diabetes, to cope with the Wildfowl winter walk Small Pauls ales are still hard to find, limited by the dis- condition. tance it is practical to deliver. they are currently on sale “This involves self-care and self-management so in three pubs around Gillingham and two further afield. NATURElovers can join a Chesil Beach Centre guided that they are better able to deal with their situation. walk along the Fleet to look at wintering birds including Mr Smith said: “I like to put my beer in good pubs. they (cid:0)WESTDorset CAMRA chairman Dave Harris “Future events are planned in a variety of places know how to look after it. waders, wildfowl and gulls on Sunday, January 16th. (left) presents the Top Beer of Octoberfest award including Bridport culminating in a full day event at “I’m really chuffed to have won the top Beer of Octo- Booking is required, telephone 01305 760579 and berfest award particularly as it’s voted by the drinkers to Paul Smith who runs the Small Pauls brewery Charlton Down in 2011.” meet at Fleet Church at 2pm. in Gillingham. themselves. I’m told I won by a landslide.” viewonline24/7 view from news Wednesday 9 viewfromonline.co.uk January 5 2011 Culture from around the world A THRIVING multi-cultural club is due to Every week a number of cultures are cham- by Harry Walton restart at All Saints School, Weymouth, this pioned, combining food, craft and dance with month. advice and friendly chat at the Language The club runs every Wednesday from Café. For its final event of the autumn term the 3.30pm-5pm, is open to all Weymouth and Food has included everything from Polish club held a Thanksgiving, when food, crafts Portland families and is supported by a vari- Bigos and Dorset apple cake to samosas, and games were provided by Amercan ety of schools in the area. crepes and Boeuf Bourguignon while dancing mother Melinda Brown. has included Krakoviak, the Polonaise and Garba Stick Dance. Dominic Beaulieux, who acts as one of the hosts in the Language Café said: “This is just what I was crying out for when I first came to England from France, a regular and safe place to come, a place with friendly faces just to chat, ask questions and to practice my Eng- lish.” County extended services co-ordinator Nicolette Heath said: “A particular aim of this multi-culture club is to celebrate all cultures including those around us here in Dorset. The club recognises the importance of re- membering roots and traditions. It affords the opportunity to share these with friends from other cultures who openly want to discover what to them is new and to others are age old traditions and part of a valued heritage. “So much of what is believed to be tradi- tional has origins in other cultures and is part of the richness of a multifarious world. “We regularly have Dorset apple cake on offer, we built a guy for Guy Fawkes Night and often talk about customs that to us may Twinners’ gift seem every day and commonplace but to newcomers to our shores are revelations that will enrich their understanding and ease their transition.” (cid:1)CHRISMerlin, social secretary of the Weymouth and Portland Holzwickede Sessions also include advisory groups as the family Information Service, Children’s Cen- Twinning Society, is pictured presenting a cheque to Deputy Mayor Graham tres, the Health Authority and Community Winter for the Mayor’s Christmas Fund. Contact which offer advice while there is also Councillor Winter was the guest of honour at the society’s Christmas dinner. a Fair Trade stall. (cid:1)MELINDABrown with part of her Thanksgiving display Solutions For Archiving LLP Compass Point Estates LLP Encouraging Enterprise Secure Document Archiving & Retrieval SELF OPERATED STORAGE Is your Archive Storage a costly headache??? BOAT, CARAVAN & MOTOR HOME PARKING UNECONOMICAL AND INSUFFICIENT • Units from 40 sq ft to USE OF EXISTING SPACE 5000 sq ft SECURITY AN ISSUE • From as little as £40.00 RETRIEVAL A PROBLEM TIME CONSUMING AND LABOUR per month INTENSIVE SEARCHES • All areas – CCTV monitored FOCUS TAKEN AWAY FROM CORE • Available for domestic & BUSINESS ACTIVITIES commercial use NOT COMPLYING WITH LEGAL AUDIT REQUIREMENTS EXISTING COSTS OF ARCHIVING FACILITY RUNNING OUT OF CONTROL SHORT • Full access during OF SPACE WITHIN YOUR CURRENT FACILITY opening hours Existing Clients Include • Secure Parking - Caravans, Solutions for Archiving (cid:0) NHS (cid:0) Solicitors & Accountants LLP will guarantee Boats & Motor Homes to save you up to (cid:0) Primary Care Trusts (cid:0) PLCs & National Chains Very Competitive Prices, Any type of storage for any length of time 30% of your existing (cid:0) M.O.D (cid:0) Colleges archive costs (cid:0) Large & Small Private Companies Give us a call today and let us cut your archive costs and take away the headache of storing, organising and managing your archive records Contact us: 01305 824810 Contact us: 01305 824000 Maritime House – Southwell Park – Portland – Dorset DT5 2NA Maritime House – Southwell Park – Portland – Dorset DT5 2NA 10 Wednesday view from news viewonline24/7 January 5 2011 viewfromonline.co.uk Weymouth Matters A personal View by HARRY WALTON The high cost of being public spirited Kids always like the cadboard box better SO many sales are on at the IT took the recent snow and ice to confirm I must have been a bit dazed because it took It is apparently the law that doing nothing pavement outside their property it is appar- moment that I suppose it something that everyone suspects. The me a while to get back to my feet before I and leaving a lurking deathtrap doesn’t make ently a legal acceptance of responsibility for was inevitable that people law really might be an ass. went and warned those whose car park was you liable but doing something about it that section and they could be liable if anyone would clash. In the space of a few minutes I had a first responsible for the icy hazard so that some- leaves the helper open to all sorts of legal is injured on it. Admittedly the dispute I hand view of three people falling badly. thing could be done to prevent someone such nastiness. saw was over quite a valu- So let’s be straight about this. If someone The first pensioner needed help from a as a pensioner being more seriously hurt. And don’t think you, the ordinary house- able item that both people falls over near your home and is badly injured paramedic after falling on a pavement, the The answer I got was that they’d note what holder, are exempt either! were laying claim to. that’s perfectly all right, but if you try to be second pensioner was helped back to his feet I said but couldn’t do anything about it with It was later brought to my attention that a Each side tried to remain at a bus stop and the third person was me. sand or salt because, by doing so, they would householder whose front path is covered in public spirited and clear a bit of snow just polite but without letting go All I did was go to unlock my vehicle door be making themselves responsible for car snow – and that’s been most of us this winter outside your property to prevent someone of the object. in a car park and the next thing I remember park conditions and liable for any action – is entitled to sweep it clear. being hurt then it could prove a very costly It might have called for the was lying on the tarmac by the side of my car. brought by anyone being injured. However, if they clear just a few inches of gesture. judgement of Soloman to settle the dispute, but any Not even hot air can stave off the cold! potential adjudicator was spared that chore when the empty cardboard box tore in half under the stress both angry people had exerted. SOMETHING was clearly wrong when I like laughing and as the night wore on the about to keep warm. up a pullover, shivering as he did so. That It seemed that each had walked in to an evening council meeting to room temperature fell even further. There were also a few grim smiles when was Richard Kosior ... only he wasn’t cosier! wanted the box to carry see people shivering. So bad did matters become that during the one councillor said: “I think you are very, It was also new ground for me, the only away their purchases and It emerged that the heating was off during next two and a quarter hours I watched coun- very brave tonight!” Well he would say that time in 35 years as a professional journalist now they had nothing ex- cillors don every stitch of clothing they could wouldn’t he because he was leaving the meet- one of the coldest spells in recent Weymouth that I’ve covered a council meeting while cept equal pieces of torn lay their hands on from cardigans to coats and ing, presumably in a desperate attempt to history. scarves. stave off hypothermia! wearing a sheepskin coat and a scarf. I didn’t cardboard, a calamity which seemed to take the wind Members bravely tried to joke that it must There were complaints about cold feet and Finally the last councillor succumbed to the thaw out until I stood in front of the fire at out of their sale! be a money saving measure but no one felt cold legs because no one could exactly jump cold, gave in and hastily put on and zipped home. • Solar Photovoltaic Renewable systems earn you money, reduce your electricity bill and help the environment. Call now for a FREE site survey. • ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS DON’T PANIC!! From Changing a fuse to a complete rewire, our qualified staff are here to help you. • CONFUSED BY ALL THE DIGITAL SYSTEMS FOR TV AND RADIO Aerial and Satellite installations or just advice, our qualified staff are here to help you. Call us for advice or free estimates 01305 300148 or 01929 448001 Visit us at: www.ttselectrical.co.uk

See more

The list of books you might like

Most books are stored in the elastic cloud where traffic is expensive. For this reason, we have a limit on daily download.