Spring 2011Newsletter

The Merley Magpie

M C A

M E R L E YC O M M U N I T Y

A S S O C I A T I O N

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Merley Community CentreHarrier Drive, Merley, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 1XE

Tel: 01202 841330

Welcomes contributions from all individuals and organisations in Merley.The will be published on the Merley.org. website from the summer 2010.

All contributors/advertisers must make it known if there is anything they do NOT wishto appear on the internet. Deadlines are as follow:

Spring issue: 15th Feb. Summer issue:15th June, Winter issue:15th Oct.Please send all material to: Peter Spedding, 170 Lynwood Drive, Merley,

Telephone 889055, or email it to: editor@merley.org.ukNeither the Editor nor Merley Community Association necessarily endorse the views

and opinions expressed by contributors.

Interested in advertising in the (rates from £12.00), orwanting to arrange a reminder for the next deadline?

Contact the Editor, Pete Spedding, on 889055, or email:editor@merley.org.uk

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A belated Happy New Year to allMerley residents. I hope you allsurvived the snow and ice, whichwas an experience we have not hadfor sometime.Although the continued gloom of re-cession and cut backs hangs overus, at least we have a royal weddingto look forward to. If anyone isplanning a community party andwould like to involve the communityhall and club please let us know.Since I became secretary I havebeen amazed at how many peopledo not know we have a communitycentre and club, so we have inserteda flier in this Magpie which we hopeyou will have time to read and passonto your friends. Also, if you are nota member, why not take advantageof the free drinks voucher on pageeight and come along and see us.

Although we have not finalized ourentertainment programme for 2011,we would like to mention a new at-traction which is becoming very pop-ular with all, ballroom dancing. Whynot come along and enjoy. Look outfor separate posters with dates.We are also hoping to re-introducecurry nights, possibly the first Satur-day each month. Again, watch outfor dates.At last a darts team looks possible, ifyou are interested please contact us.Both pool teams are doing well in theWessex league, but we welcomenew members. The Petanque team isgrowing, and crib is still popular. Wealso have a golf society which wouldwelcome new members. The meatdraw takes place on a Friday night,and the members draw, where youcould win up to £100, restarts inMarch.

Website:www.merleysocialclub.co.uk

John Bennett Secretary MSC

Club telephone 8413307 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Merley Social Club

ANDREW PLATTPROPERTY MAINTENANCE

Interior & ExteriorPainting & Decorating

General 'Handyman' JobsFree Estimates

All Enquiries Welcome

Please call Andy on07749 831618

or 01202 885414

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S u r n a m e ( s ) : __________________________

First Name(s): __________________________

Occupation(s): __________________________

Date(s) of birth: _________________

Address: ____________________________________

________________________________________________________________

Post Code: ____________ Tel. No._________________

P l e a s e p r o v i d e t h e n a m e o f t h e m e m b e r i n t r o d u c i n gy o u t o t h i s c l u b :

M e m b e r s N a m e : _____________________________________________

Members No: ___________

I / W e a g r e e t o a b i d e b y t h e r u l e s a n d b y e - l a w s o fM e r l e y S o c i a l C l u b

S I GNED : ___________________________

DA T E : ___________________________

Rates for 2011 SocialClubSubs

Non-refundableshare

Total paya-ble

Ordinary members £15 £1 £16

Seniors - men 65 yrs & over - ladies 60 yrs & over £10 £1 £11

Partners of members £07 £1 £08

P l e a s e m a k e c h e q u e s p a y a b l e t o M e r l e y S o c i a l C l u b .T h e p e r s o n a l i n f o r m a t i o n r e q u e s t e d o n t h i s f o r m i s t h em i n i m u m r e q u i r e d u n d e r t h e I n d u s t r i a l a n d P r o v i d e n tS o c i e t i e s A c t s . M e r l e y S o c i a l C l u b w i l l u s e i n f o r m a t i o n

p r o v i d e d b y m e m b e r s f o r m e m b e r s h i p p u r p o s e s o n l y . U n d e rn o c i r c u m s t a n c e s w i l l t h i s i n f o r m a t i o n b e d i s c l o s e d t o t h i r dp a r t i e s . A l l i n f o r m a t i o n i s h e l d i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e D a t a

P r o t e c t i o n A c t 1 9 9 8 .

Merley Social ClubNew Members' Application Form 2011

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Merley Community Association Report

G A S , L P G & O I L S P E C I A L I S T

C O R G I

Registered No.1 9 3 1 6 6

P D HEATINGP D HEATINGP D HEATINGPaul DippleTel/Fax: 01202 467363Mobile: 07810 483028

360 Blandford RoadHamworthy, Poole, Dorset BH15 4JH

N a t i o n a l I n s p e c t i o n C o u n c i l f o r E l e c t r i c a lI n s t a l l a t i o n C o n t r a c t i n g

A P P R O V E D C O N T R A C T O R

O V E R 2 0 Y E A R S E X P E R I E N C EF U L L Y Q U A L I F I E D S T A F FF R I E N D L Y & E F F I C I E N T S E R V I C EA L L T Y P E S O F E L E C T R I C A L W O R KS M A L L J O B S W E L C O M E

A l l y o u r e l e c t r i c a lp r o b l e m s s o l v e d

K . H .� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

W I M B O R N E0 1 2 0 2 8 8 9 6 6 4

M o b i l e : 0 7 8 3 1 3 0 9 9 6 83 B r a b a z o n R d , W i m b o r n e

Welcome to the first edition of theMerley Magpie for 2011. It hasnow been ten years since our edi-tor, Peter Spedding, took over therunning of this local magazine andto celebrate, the front cover hasbeen updated. Thank you Peter forall the hard work (unpaid I mightadd) that you have contributedover the past decade.I hope that everyone came throughthe bad weather relatively un-scathed. I am pleased to confirmthat no problems were encoun-tered at the Community Centre,apart from a very icy car park.We had been able to have theheaters repaired before the coldweather hit us. The flooring in thelarge hall had become damaged,and a thank you to Derek Froud,who came and repaired the floor atshort notice. The carpet in thelounge has also been repaired.Bookings for the two halls remainbuoyant, but don't forget the spe-cial offer still available, wherebythe Large Hall can be hired for a

Saturday night at a 25% discountand an even further discount for allSocial Club members. (No under25 year old parties I'm afraid.)Not a lot more to report for thisedition, other than that the A.G.M.for the MCA is at 8.30 p.m. onThursday, 26th May. Look forwardto seeing you there.

Martin StevensChairman

Over 15 years experience inacrylic nails.Based in Parkstone, less than 15minutes from Merley.Offering evening and some day-time bookings.

Full Set £20.00

Refills £12.00

Manicure £5.00

Phone or text Janice on07834590204

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Canford & MerleyWomen‛s Institute

Collection of MilkBottle Tops

Margaret Hamilton, who has beencollecting plastic milk bottle tops forcharity, has had to stop. Please donot take any further bottle tops tothe Community Centre. Margaretthanks all who have helped with thecollection over the past months.

We meet on the second Wednes-day of the month at 7.15 for 7.30p.m. at Merley Community Centre,and I am pleased to say that eachmonth sees new members arriving.Our Winter programme includedsome interesting illustrated talksand the final meeting of last yearculminated with a superb magicianwho entertained us for our Christ-mas celebrations.I must thank all our members whomake our meetings so friendly andinformative. Next year has a variedand interesting program alreadyplanned. If you have other areas ofinterest, e.g. Scrabble, Reading,Craft or Badminton we have small-er get-togethers throughout themonth to cater for all interests. Weeven have a number of memberswho organise themselves intosmall walking groups, and otherswho just go out together once amonth for a meal. Our recent Skit-tles Evening saw over 100 mem-bers and their partners gather for aPloughman’s Supper. The eveningwent well, raising over £150 forCharity.Do come along and give us a try.Please ring Penny, our President,on 885866 for further information.

Local Resident offerscrime talks.

Newly retired Malcolm Acreman is anAge UK volunteer and has beentrained in presenting information oncrimes such as scams, identity theftand distraction burglary, which areoften targeted at people later in life.His talks, with a DVD, take about anhour. If any local organisationswould like to take advantage of hisoffer they should email Malcolm onacreman533@btinternet.com, or callhim on 01202 842432.

The wimborne clinic

Excellence in HealthcareChiropody & Podiatry

A Complete Footcare ServiceBy HPC Registered Chiropodist/Podiatrist

Treatments include Callus, Corns, IngrowingToe Nails, Nail Infections and Diabetic Feet

Home Visits availableAngela Churchill Bsc. Pod Med. Mchs

Call 01202 841000Knobcrook Road, Wimborne, Dorset. BH21 1NL

www.thewimborneclinic.com

D I S L I K E I R O N I N G ?HAVEN’T GOT THE TIME?Fast, friendly, efficient collection

and delivery service.£7 per hour. (1 hour minimum)

T e l : 0 1 2 0 2 8 8 3 4 9 7

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The Dorset group of theArthritis & Musculoskeletal

Alliance (ARMA www.arma.uk.net/default.html)

is holding a public meeting, at theEast Dorset Heritage Trust, Allen-dale House, Hanham Road, Wim-borne, BH21 1AS, on Wednesday6th April.This meeting is for patients and car-ers of patients who suffer from mus-culo-skeletal conditions.Health-care professionals will givetheir view on how patients will becared for and supported in the futureand there will be an opportunity forthose attending to discuss their ex-periences and how they would like tosee services improved or changed.The meeting will start at 6 p.m. andrun until about 7 p.m. There will bea light buffet available from 5:45 p.m.If you wish to attend, please contact

Barry Faith, Dorset ARMAcoordinator at:

barryfaith@betterprojects.co.uk,or tel. 07773 793299.

Dorset ARMA has also recentlypublished its periodic report. This is

available via email,barryfaith@betterprojects.co.uk.

Scotts private hireyour local transport service

airports, coach &railway stations

long and short distances4 & 6 seater vehicles available

Tel: Tina Scott01202650144 or 07886825446

(recommended by Merley Taxis)

PATIOS, PATHS,WALLS, FENCING,

GATES, TURFING, &GARDEN FURNITURE

EST. 25 YEARSFRIENDLY SERVICE

FREE ESTIMATES

WIMBORNETEL: 01202 887736

N I C K H U G H E S

MERLEY SOCIAL CLUBNot yet a member? Don’t worry! This

is your chance to come and look foryourself.

With premium lager at over £3.00 a pintat the local Pub it would be silly not to

take advantage of this offer.You might just enjoy the experience

enough to join.

FREE DRINK VOUCHERPresent this voucher to the bar staff and

receive a free drink atMERLEY SOCIAL CLUB.

Offer ends 30th April 2011Limited to non-members over 18

yrs of age

Name: ____________________Address: ___________________

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Our over-arching theme, ‘Images’continues to inspire and challengechildren and adults alike. We haveused a black-out tent, torches andother light sources to experimentwith and explore the properties oflight, dark and shadows. We haveexplored ‘magnetism’ and enjoyedexperimenting and marvelling atthe results. Art and craft activitieshave been introduced to design,plan and produce 2 & 3D models,collage and drawings. We are alsolooking forward to producing a‘Year Book’ where individualchildren publish their own entries.The children have beenencouraged to reflect on theirexperiences and learning and toengage with the practitioners as‘research partners’ in order tomake sense of their findings.The Spring Term brings newprovocations. We plan to designand make a new curtain for theplayroom, engage in simplekitchen experiments, introduceclay, sand and soil sculptures, andturn our role play area into a‘space station.’ During thesummer months we plan to explore‘growing and life;’ study famousworks of art, e.g. Van Gogh’s‘Sunflowers’ (not unfortunately,the original!) and Ancient Egyptian

Art with the intention of developingour own pre-school hieroglyphics!Our Summer Exhibition, ‘ACelebration of Local Children’ isplanned for Saturday 2nd July,from 2.00 p.m. Our grateful thanksgo to the Community CentreCommittee for their support. OtherCommunity Centre users haveexpressed an interest in joining us:Footlights Dance Academy, theU3A & W.I. Watch out for posterswith further details.The ‘Mini Movers’ music andrhyme group for babies and pre-schoolers continues to flourish.We meet in the lounge on Tuesdayafternoons during term time –everyone is welcome.If you would like your youngster toshare in these excitingexperiences please come andvisit. My team and I would bedelighted to show you around.Alternatively phone on 07876267984.

Nicki WhitworthPre-School Leader

Merley Community Pre-school

Merley Community Centre, Harrier Drive, Merley, Wimborne.Phone number: 07876 267984 Reg. Charity No:-1037295

GILLIAN ADLEY M.Ch.S.HPC Registered

Chiropodist/Podiatrist

Home visits. Tel: 880947

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Reader‛s LetterSirIt was interesting to read BarryFaith's letter in the Summer 2010Magpie concerning the demise ofswifts and swallows in Merley overthe past 20 years.While swifts may have nested atCanford School, I believe thathouse martins are among the spe-cies that many long term residentswill have missed most, since theynested on ordinary houses, includ-ing ours (on the Queen Anne Driveside of the estate) from 1980 -1983. In the last few years I haveonly seen them nesting in the Sop-with Crescent area but other read-ers may have differentexperiences. I have seen historicaldata on the number of house martinnests at Canford School before theMerley estate was established, withan impressive 153 nests in 1963 forexample. Possibly someone at theschool continues to monitor thesituation. It would certainly be goodto read occasional updates in theMerley Magpie.Despite the decline in hirundines(swallow like birds) ,the recent coldweather has brought less commonspecies into our gardens, notablyredwing in December 2010 andfieldfare the previous Christmas.Arguably the most unlikely visitor toour garden this winter has been agrey wagtail, which we normallyonly expect to see on the RiverStour. Unlike residents of CanfordHeath we haven't been luckyenough to see waxwing here, buthave others in Merley ?

Paul Lear

Your Home Watch NeedsYOU!

Become a co-ordinator in MerleyHome Watch Association.It won’t take up a lot of time. All youneed to do is deliver a newsletter 4times a year to approximately 20homes near you. Once a year collectthe 50p subscriptions and leave areceipt. Pass the subscriptions on tothe treasurer.There is an annual social evening forco-ordinators in recognition of theirwork. Most co-ordinators have donethe job for many years and don’t findit too onerous, giving up about 4hours a year.As with most organisations we reallydo need new blood to enable HomeWatch to continue. We need you.Contact Carole Spedding on 889055if you can help.The Home Watch A.G.M. will be onthe 18th May, 7.30 p.m. at SelkirkHall, Selkirk Close. Everyone iswelcome to attend.

Baby Sitting Offeredin the Merley Area by a reliable 15 year old.

£3.50 Per Hour Minimum of 2 hours.References Available

Contact Amy on:- 01202 883343

Chiropody

Josephine Leigh-BrownMSSCh, MBChA, HPC registered

Tel: 657556o r s u r g e r y

591990

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Magpie on theWeb

In response to requestsfrom one or two house-holds who do not get thenewsletter delivered, theMerley Magpie will bepublished in PDF form onthe web.If you know of anyoneoutside our delivery areawho wants to see a copy,tell them to visit:

www.Merley.org.ukTo respect privacy somepersonal information willbe omitted on the webversion.

Merley Evening Townswomen‛sGuild

We continue to grow and flourish and afterour A.G.M. in March we will be starting our2011 programme. This will include the re-turn of the very popular Call my Bluff inApril, the History of the Kimono (cancelledlast October due to illness) in May, thereturn of Marion Emery in June and Life onBoard the Royal Yacht Britannia in July.This is the first half of this year's pro-gramme so if you fancy coming along to anyof these evenings you will be made verywelcome.We had a good variety of speakers andentertainment last year including severaltheatre trips, a Christmas shopping trip,monthly coffee mornings and an excellentChristmas dinner at the Bear Cross pub.We have got off to a flying start this yearwith a Skittles evening at the Cobham cluband about 20 members supporting the localeconomy with a return visit to the Dogs atPoole!! If any of these events appeal to youand you want to meet new people you willbe made very welcome.We meet every third Wednesday of themonth at 7.30 p.m. at the Merley CommunityCentre.

Annual General Meetingsof the Merley Community Association

and the Merley Social ClubWill take place on Thursday 26th May

at the Community Centre.The meeting for the MCA will start at

8.30 p.m.That for the Social club will follow at

9.30 p.m.

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A NATURAL FORM OF HAIR REMOVAL32 Montacute Way, Merley

Tel: 888278

Carolyn Smith - Sugar Practitioner

S.J. ConstructionOver 25 years experience

For all your building needs:

� Loft Conversions� Kitchens� Bathrooms� Extensions� Decorating� Property Maintenance� Full Refurbishments

No job too smallInsurance work undertaken

Clean and reliable service

Just call Simon for a free quote

Tel: 01202 884952Mobile: 07970 021772

Community Centre Hall for HireWhy not hire the large function hall at the Merley Community Centre

for your:-Anniversaries/Birthdays (25th & over only), Christenings or

any other Celebrations.Available for up to 120 persons. Kitchen facilities included and

Licensed Bar always available for you and your guests.25% Discount if you quote “ ” when booking. (Saturday

Hiring only) Further Discounts for Social Club Members.Contact Rob Johnson on 01202 880235, or email:

weekend.bookings@merley.org.uk

Playing the lute in thegarden

Until last summer, I thought of thelute as a musical instrument. How-ever, the need to level my lawn(after 30-odd years of thinkingabout it !!!) caused me to discoverthere was another instrument, orbetter, tool, which is called a ‘lute’.(Search the internet for ‘gardenlute’, ‘lawn lute’ or ‘levelling lute’,and you will find this device is usedto help level lawns.) So I decidedbuy one and experiment, alongwith about a half ton of top soil(50% sharp sand, bearing in mindthe clay at Merley) and plenty ofseed. An afternoon of work left mewith the top soil spread across mylawn and a lot of patches filled withthe topsoil and seed mix. Younever know, perhaps next year I’llhave a flat lawn. I’ll let you allknow.

Frederick'sFitted furniture specialist

Bedroom, study or kitchen.Free survey and quotation.

Please callFred Gosling on 01202 69664560 Dunyeats Rd, Broadstone.

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WOODLAND BURIAL & MEMORIAL GARDENS

A truly tranquil setting with views of Poole HarbourAnd the Purbeck Hills, Harbour View is the

Perfect place in which to remember the life ofsomeone special.

Harbour View caters for both woodland burialAnd interments of cremated remains.

A number of pre-arrangement and pre-payment plansare available, affording you the chance to plan ahead

with confidence.

For further enquiries or a brochure please call the number below.

Randalls Hill, Lytchett Minster, Poole,Dorset BH16 6AN

Tel. 01202 630111www. woodlandburial.net

Over 25 years experienceFor all your building needs:� Plastering� Artex made smooth� Plaster boarding, Dry lining� Coving & Cornice� Rendering� Stud Walls� Suspended ceilings� Screeding

No job too smallInsurance work undertakenClean and reliable service

Just call Simon for a free quoteTel: 01202 884952

Mobile: 07970 021772

S.J. Drywall

SELKIRK PROPERTYMAINTENANCE

A L L A S P E C T S O F L A N D S C A P I N G , P R O P E R T Y M A I N -T E N A N C E A N D R E P A I R S

F E N C I N G G A T E S

P A T I O S P A T H S

B L O C K P A V I N G R E N D E R I N G

C O N C R E T I N G P A I N T I N G

D R A I N A G E T U R F I N G

A L L J O B S C O N S I D E R E DA L O C A L R E L I A B L E M E R L E Y C O M P A N Y

Q U A L I T Y W O R K A T R E A S O N A B L E R A T E SC A L L S I M O N : 0 1 0 2 0 2 8 8 7 4 3 8 o r 0 7 8 9 4 8 6 0 8 8 6

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It is clear that our country is expe-riencing an economic crisis as thisgovernment has inherited a hugedeficit in its budgeted accountswhich had to be covered by inter-national loans, the interest ofwhich is costing billions of poundsannually.Draconian cuts in monetary grantsto local government are the resultof the 'fast track' method of recov-ery the Government has chosen,consequently local councils' in-come has been significantly re-duced resulting in a 'tightening ofproverbial belts'.In order to relieve some of thefinancial pressure without affectinglocal services too much; vis: SocialServices, Education, Road Mainte-nance et. al. the Government pre-pared a plan – 'The Big Society',where local councils entered intopartnerships with neighbouringcouncils and voluntary organisa-tions.The depth of this financial 'BlackHole' however has called for evenmore drastic measures, includinggreater reductions in Governmentfunding - resulting in more efficien-cy drives and greater reduction tolocal services, until the originalcause is remedied.In an effort of collateral limitationthe government has chosen thepath of 'decentralised policy con-ceptualisation' with the LocalismBill which passes some policy for-mulation, and its associated re-sponsibilities and accountability,

to local government, communitiesand local residents. Seehttp://www.lga.gov.uk/lga/core/page.do?pageId=15692252

The outcome of this for Boroughof Poole residents is that there willbe cutbacks in some services,such as in street cleaning, weedreduction and vegetation control toname a few. So as individuals, ifone sees a drain cover blocked byleaves or other debris please takethe initiative and clear the offend-ing item away. If one sees someweeds starting to grow along thekerb or footpath then next time thegarden is sprayed with weed killer,spray these weeds also.As a residential area we needmore organisation as a community.Councils in most instances willonly entrust such responsibilitiesto 'official' organisations, e.g., theCommunity Centre and theChurch. Perhaps we need to buildup volunteer groups that couldhelp cut back overgrown vegeta-tion and pick up litter throughoutour area.This is our area of which we shouldbe proud and welcoming, soplease could we work together dur-ing these troubled times, helpingour neighbours if necessary (everylittle helps!) to arrive at the desiredoutcome.So please, no more of 'it's theCouncils job'. We are in this to-gether.

P. MaidenLocal Councillor

Localism

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pet shop is now open!Large range of Wild Bird, Dog, Small Animal,Aviary and Aquatic foods, treats and otherproducts available to order. All delivered

direct to your door!Gardening products coming soon!

Visitwww.theoaksgardencentre.co.uk

and click Online Shop

GARDEN CENTRE

Queen Anne Drive, Merley, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 3BATel: 01202 603322 | Web: www.theoaksgardencentre.co.uk

Our new online

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