Dorset

Holocaust Memorial Day 2019 will be marked in Christchurch, with a commemoration service at The Captain’s Club Hotel followed by a Wreath Laying ceremony at the Holocaust Memorial site on the Quomps at Christchurch Quay.

The event will be held on Monday 28 January at 10am.

The Vicar of Christchurch, Reverend Canon Charles Stewart will begin the memorial before leading prayers alongside Rabbi Jesner, from the Bournemouth Hebrew Congregation and the Bournemouth Reform Synagogue (BJCR).

Guests from the Royal British Legion and Royal Navy Association, along with school children from Christchurch Junior School, Priory School, Burton Primary School and Highcliffe St Mark School will also join the Mayor to lay wreaths at the Holocaust Memorial site.

Those in attendance attendees will have the honour of hearing first-hand stories from Benjamin Thomas. His mother was a refugee who was taken from her home in Germany on the St Louis, but was refused entry to the United States of America. Benjamin’s story captures the theme of Holocaust Memorial Day this year (‘Torn from Home’).

Reverend Canon Charles Stewart will lead the ‘Power of Words’ message, to help understand how language has impacted our lives in the past and up to modern day.

Cllr Lesley Dedman, Mayor of Christchurch said “I would ask that people in our comfortable Borough of Christchurch not only remember the horrors of the past Holocaust but think of those in our own time. I ask that we think of the victims slaughtered in present genocides, and also of people forced out of their homes by persecution, and that we reflect on their efforts to rebuild their lives.”

All are welcome to join the memorial event.

Further information about Holocaust Memorial Day can be accessed here: http://hmd.org.uk/

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Dorset Wildlife Trust has been awarded a £22,260 grant for its ‘Wild Brownsea’ project.

The money is from the Wytch Farm Landscape and Access Enhancement Fund and will be used to improve access around Brownsea, enabling visitors to more easily explore the island and enjoy its wildlife in a low-impact and sustainable way.

The Fund has been established to enhance the landscape around Wytch Farm oilfield and is supported by Dorset County Council, the Dorset AONB, Natural England and Perenco UK.

A vital element of the project is ‘Explore Brownsea’ which aims to improve access for people from all backgrounds and abilities to learn about, enjoy and help conserve the island’s natural environment. The project also hopes to encourage new visitors by overcoming any perceived cultural and social barriers.

Improvements will include:

• Enhanced, fully accessible boardwalks and footpaths
• Updated signage to facilitate a high-quality visitor experience
• Improved management of visitor flows to reduce impact on wildlife
• A fully accessible trail
• A new wellbeing trail
• Fully accessible new visitor facility
• New wildlife observatory

A key aim of the Wild Brownsea project is to promote the health and wellbeing benefits that regular contact with nature provides. It includes an outreach component, which will encourage those from disadvantaged and excluded groups in the local community to get involved with Brownsea, including young people, people with learning difficulties and those on low incomes.

Working closely with the National Trust and supported by Dorset County Council, the project will also facilitate visits for those with reduced mobility utilising a recently purchased ‘landing craft’.

Cllr Daryl Turner, Dorset County Council’s Cabinet Member for the Natural and Built Environment, said: “This funding will be a great boost to sustaining Brownsea Island’s important cultural and historical heritage as well as creating an opportunity to encourage and inspire people who may not have visited before – especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds – to make natural heritage a part of their lives”.

The bid for the funding, which will go towards an overall £180,111 of improvements, was made by Dorset Wildlife Trust. Brian Bleese from the Trust said: “Contact with nature has enormous health and wellbeing benefits. Improved accessibility will mean that people of all backgrounds and abilities will be able to enjoy the island’s wildlife and landscape.”

The Wild Brownsea project will also create many new volunteering opportunities. To find out how you can get involved contact: volunteer@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

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On Thursday 17 January, West Dorset District Council’s Planning Committee approved an outline planning application for up to 100 new homes in Beaminster.

The application is for development of land north of Broadwindsor Road that is on space that has been identified for housing in the Local Plan .

The applicant provided an illustrative layout which seeks to demonstrate how up to 100 dwellings, together with public open space and roads, could be accommodated on the site. The illustrative plans for the site show a mix of detached and terraced properties, a ‘village green’ and space for a children’s play area.

Further details of the layout, appearance, landscaping, and scale will be reserved for future consideration in a reserved matters planning application.

Cllr Ian Gardner, West Dorset District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning, said; “The approval of this outline application, once the full application has been approved, will assist us in meeting the need for housing in our district.”

Cllr Tim Yarker, West Dorset District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing, said; “The approval of more homes in the area is welcome. This development should deliver 35 much needed affordable homes, which will be eagerly awaited.”

“West Dorset District Council together with Weymouth & Portland Borough Council and North Dorset District Council, want to see 20,000 more homes built in the combined area by 2033 under the Opening Doors campaign. As part of this programme, we have opened a Home Ownership register. This is giving us real insight into the preferred type and location of housing wanted by residents. It also enables us to direct new homes to residents.  I would encourage anyone looking to own their own home to sign the register.”

Find out more about Opening Doors or sign up to the Home Ownership Register and receive regular housing development updates in your area.

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An annual memorial service in recognition of Holocaust Memorial Day will take place in the Princess Diana Gardens, Radipole Park Drive, Weymouth on Friday 25 January.

The service will begin at 10am at the Holocaust memorial tree, planted near to Alexandra Bridge.

The memorial service will be hosted by the Mayor of Weymouth & Portland Cllr Gill Taylor with prayers and a reading being led by the Mayor’s Chaplin Rev Tom Copley and joined by religious faith representatives from the local community.

All members of the public are welcome to attend the Weymouth Holocaust Memorial Service. Local councillors and Friends of the Parks will also be represented.

Holocaust Memorial Day on Sunday 27 January is the annual day of remembrance for the victims and survivors of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, Darfur and Tibet. It marks the day in 1945 when the Auschwitz–Birkenau extermination camp was liberated.

The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day this year is Torn from home.

Weymouth & Portland Borough Council Mayor, Gill Taylor, said; “This local service is a chance for people to come along to one of our splendid gardens and join members of the community in paying their respects to the victims of the Holocaust and other genocides.

“I am particularly proud that the council can organise these events, joining the international community in raising awareness for these important commemorations such as the annual  Holocaust Memorial Day. I look forward to having the opportunity to host this event , welcome all members of the community and listen to their stories. I hope that the weather will be kind to us.”

As well as the service on Friday 25 January, a Holocaust Memorial Day display will be up at Weymouth Library from Monday 21 January to Monday 28 January. The display is set up annually by Barbara Cohen of the South West Dorset Multicultural Network and friends.

The South West Dorset Multicultural Network have also organised a free event on Friday 25 January at the Corn Exchange, High West Street, Dorchester from 12.30pm-1.30pm. There will be a range of speakers. Doors open at noon for you to join us, look at displays and meet with members of the network. Light refreshments will be available following the speakers.

For more information about Holocaust Memorial Day visit www.hmd.org.uk

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A section of the Marsh leading to the Rodwell Trail in Weymouth has received a major refurbishment by Dorset County Council’s Greenspace service.

Brambles and other vegetation were cut back to reveal a large amount of litter that had accumulated in the undergrowth over the years. This was tackled by a huge litter-picking effort by the Ranger team who found all types of litter – from a shopping trolley to a set of false teeth.

To complete the improvement, the muddy track has received a new compacted stone surface, making it accessible for mobility vehicles and pushchairs, as well as and walkers and runners.

Paula Klaentischi is chair of the Friends of Rodwell trail. She said:

“The Rodwell Trail is a much enjoyed and well-used local asset.

“It’s vital to maintain the Trail as it is an important wildlife corridor for badgers, bats, migrant and resident birds.”

Greenspace manager Giles Nicholson said: “When we first attended, this area was in a very sorry state, but with some focused hard work by the ranger team it has been transformed into a really useful and attractive sustainable transport link which will be used for years to come.

“We have also made improvements to the area to the side of that path, which will make it easier to manage in the future.”

Dorset County Council has worked alongside Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, which has provided a funding contribution towards this work. The two authorities hope the improvements will help tackle antisocial behaviour in the area.

Cllr Daryl Turner said: “Rejuvenating this area has provided a great way to get outdoors and be closer to nature.

“Projects like this, that reduce opportunities for antisocial behaviour and enhance wildlife, are part what makes Weymouth an increasingly enjoyable place to live and visit.”

There will be a photo opportunity on Thursday 17 January at 11:00 on the track below the gun emplacement.

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