News and Events in Boscombe, including - Emergency walk in centre for all in Boscombe

Boscombe and Springbourne Walk in Health Centre open to all, even if you are registered with another doctor YOU can just walk between  8am until 8pm, 7 days a week and 365 days a year where rgent walk-in appointments are available throughout the opening times. The Centre is at 11 Shelley Rd Boscombe. 

Free locks installed - book for yours to be done before March! http://bit.ly/6o5t9N Call 0300 111 3303

TABLE TOP SALE

On 30 January 2010 at 11:30 BOURNEMOUTH EAST LIBERAL CLUB Holdenhurst Rd

Blood Donation Session  Selwyn Hall St Johns Church Boscombe 1st Feb 1.00pm

Concert by Christchurch U3A Vintage Brass Band A concert on Saturday, 13 February 2010, at 7 oclock, by Christchurch U3A Vintage Brass Band and guest players, together with La Nova Singers, to be conducted by STEVEN MEAD world-renowned solo euphonium player Boscombe Salvation Army Citadel Palmerston Road Bournemouth BH1 4HT £6

Dig Boscombe, Community and Permaculture Gardening 31 Jan 2010 2pm - 4pm The Portman Hotel Ashley Rd Boscombe Click for more images

Boscombe Historical Society Click for more images 31 Jan 2010

5pm - 7pm The Portman Hotel Ashley Rd Boscombe Time Team Boscombe

Highways Information Keep up to date with highways information, closures, and delays, with my new website http://bournemouthhighwaysinformation.blogspot.com/

Older people Free transportTwo activity sessions a week for older people (in a twelve week course) are available at the Littledown Centre. One session is studio based, the other an active water class. The sessions cost the participant £3.00 per time with free transport available if required. This is a great opportunity for individuals who have transport issues or for organisations working with older people for which this opportunity would benefit. 722211

"Sorted Surf Shop" Surf Contest & Festival 20th & 21st March 8.30 am - 3.30pm  & Evening Party (Sat) The event will consist of Surfing & Bodyboarding contests on the Reef & Beach at Boscombe There will also be a host of demonstration equipment for you to "have a go" including, Stand Up Paddleboards, Kayaks, Surfboards & Power Kiting as well as demonstrations of various watersport activities. Along the beach & promenade there will be equipment and stalls to browse. We are looking to run a family friendly event and welcome everybody to come along and enjoy two days of fun at the beach

Boiler Scrappage Scheme Launched Government has launched a new national scheme, the Boiler Scrappage Scheme.  Households in England can apply for a £400 voucher to help with the cost of replacing old, G-rated boilers for a new A-rated boiler or renewable heating system such as a biomass boiler or a heat pump. http://bit.ly/6e2IT1

Lollipop people needed for St Clements Rd contact the road safety officer on 451451 Lunchtime supervisors also needed, enquire at the school

Nature in Eastern Australia - Speaker: Dr David Godfrey Sat 30th Jan 2.30pm

Enigma?s of Science Past and Present: Left Overs? - Speaker: Justin Delair Wed 3rd Feb 7.00pm 

Evolution and Natural History of the Galapagos Islands - Speaker: Donald Bradshaw OBE ARPS - 3rd Feb 7.00pm.    

Bournemouth Natural Science Society 39 Christchurch Rd http://www.bnss.fslife.co.uk/programme.html

Boscanova Cafe run a youth cafe on a monday 7-9pm for ages 14-19. If you know of any kids short of stuff to do please tell them to come along. There are 2 youth workers and tones of games etc. We run a small and subsidized menu and each person gets a free drink and meal on their first visit. Please spread the word!!!

Walking doesn't make carbon, some supermarkets are worse than others.

Ocado have put out a leaflet to say that 'Ocado delivery is greener than walking to the supermarket'


Hmmmm,


Right...  they are talking about the comparison between home delivery and walking to the supermarket . And as part of this they are factoring in maintaining a supermarket as a retail environment, that includes heating and lighting, and inefficient use of space.


so it isn't WALKING to the supermarket, it's SUPERMARKETS. They are set out over about an acre of shop floor and they are geared to sell to us with their nice smells. fine. And that works because most people like it! At least they think they do.


Funnily enough I was reading Which? magazines review of supermarkets just now. It rated Aldi and Lidl higher than Tesco, Asda Morrison and Sainsburys in terms of the quality of the food, but says that they lose out on the 'shopping experience'.


Shopping Experience.... I have been shopping at Aldi and Lidl for years and I find the Shopping experience' in the big four to be positively unbearable, they make such a palaver over everything! Whole isles for just one item which, rather than making you feel you have a range to chose the best value product from, there are endless similar options - 9 rolls of loo roll for 3.48 or 12 rolls for 4.89 more sheets thicker sheets..... which ever you pick, you walk away feeling you might have just been ripped off.


In Aldi there is about 3 sorts of toilet roll and instead of taking a whole isle they take up about a metre of space between the washing up liquid and the toilet duck, and it all reasonably prices and god quality!


In fact because there is generally only one sort of each product in Aldi shopping is a lot quicker, and the supermarket is therefore also much smaller and quicker to get around, AND because they have a clever way of using the packaging boxes for the products to also display the products, the interior is very simply laid out and the staff don't have to spend ages stacking shelves. Best of all, as the boxes empty, the customers take them away to pack their shopping into (Aldi and Lidl have always charged for bags).


So really It's a quicker and more pleasant experience once you realise that the big displays and long walks around an enormous store perusing endless brands of the same product is just a waste of your time!


The other thing that the regular 'Big Four' customers struggle with s the high speed checkout, the things you are buying are scanned at such a rate that you can just about get them in the trolley, no-one will leisurely say "shall I pack for you."
But once you get used to the speed, Sainsbury's in unbearably s l o w....


So Aldi and Lidl's basic warehouse style supermarkets with just 4 (but much better paid) staff running the whole shop and better quality products than Tesco is much more environmentally friendly, and with my local one you can combine a trip with a visit to the local Butcher or the market for fruit.


Combining with using local shops and the benefits that brings to the local community and society, I will stick with walking to the supermarket.

Why pay for local news when you can get it for free?

I am very much a fan of the internet and I like to get my news online, but what does this mean for our local newspapers? I was just having a little twitter conversation on the subject after Sam posted the lastest readership figures: Daily Echo (Bournemouth) 29,687, -7.5pc. Now that is not good news for the Echo, local journalism jobs, local shops, local delivery drivers, etc etc.


And I am under no doubt that we REALLY NEED to have a local newspaper, As much as the Echo often makes my blood boil !!!, it is often the only way that local people know about what is going on in the council. In other area's where there is no longer a local paper, local councils have made massive decisions whilst local people have been oblivious. In fact what we really need is to have more than one local paper, then there would be some competition!


So we have rapidly declining readership, but that is people going out and paying their 40p for the paper version.  We still have lots of Echo readers, they are just not paying for it!


I long ago stopped buying the Echo when I started reading it online. Often the stories are on the site the night before, I began to notice that when I did buy the Echo maybe late afternoon I would look through it and feel I was reading something really out of date, this was because I was reading something I had read getting on for a day ago online. So I eventually stopped even thinking about buying it.


Why do local papers go to the trouble of producing a newspaper, then providing most of it for free in a way that for many people is also more convenient?
Perhaps to drive people to the website? but to what end? We are not going there and buying something (we are going there and NOT buying!) I am certainly not clicking on any money making links. And how many would each reader have to click on to make online readers a money spinner. Having a look at the 'whats my website worth' website the Echo website is only worth $15,000 dollars, which would be about $5000 dollars per year in potential advertising sales(correct me if I am wrong here of course!)


I cannot see any point in providing content for free on the site. Nor can other local newspapers, The Whitby Gazzette charges £5 for 3 months access to premium content. Thats not bad - I would pay that!


And why not, some commentators say that it would alienate readers, but they are not paying readers! It doesn't mean that there can't be some online content. Photo's, News archive, Teasers to premium content... In fact probably everything except today's (and possibly yesterday's) news.

Fantastic news Aisha reunited with her mother!

I had a phone call last night from Leila's mum in Bournemouth to tell me that Leila's baby Aisha has been found by the police and is now back in her mothers arms. 






The little girl, who was not much more than a baby almost a year ago when she was snatched by her father during a contact visit in Egypt, doesn't speak any english and hardly recognises her mother.

I am over the moon that Leila has finally got her daughter in her arms again, her case grabbed the heartstrings of so many local people who write over 100 letters to help to keep the attention of the authorities on the case. Leila was so worried that her daughter would be forgotten and the kindness of Bournemouth people has helped to keep her going through an incredibly difficult time.

I am looking forward to meeting Leila and her baby as we have only spoken on the phone!

This week in Boscombe - Including Surf contest

Highways Information Keep up to date with highways information, closures, and delays, with my new website http://bournemouthhighwaysinformation.blogspot.com/

Older people Free transportTwo activity sessions a week for older people (in a twelve week course) are available at the Littledown Centre. One session is studio based, the other an active water class. The sessions cost the participant £3.00 per time with free transport available if required. This is a great opportunity for individuals who have transport issues or for organisations working with older people for which this opportunity would benefit. 722211

Boscombe Fountain It has been reported today that there is a group to save the Boscombe fountain - I will endeavor to blog about this when I have all of the facts as this has been reported in a very confusing way - more next week

Surf Reef Local surfers would like the reef to be ?tweaked? so that it has a better wave for stand up surfers. The report into the effectiveness of the reef is due in February  and the Wessex surf club hope to influence the report so the work is done before the final payment is made.

Boscombe Sea Road Public Art Trail: Meet the artist 3rd and final event tomorrow!Residents in Bournemouth are being invited to meet the artist appointed to design and produce a series of seven high quality public artworks forSea Road. The artworks will form a trail to link the Boscombe Spa Village regeneration scheme with Boscombe Precinct, encouraging seafront visitors up to the central shopping area. keep up with developments on www.searoadpublicarttrail.blogspot

"Sorted Surf Shop" Surf Contest & Festival 20th & 21st March 8.30 am - 3.30pm  & Evening Party (Sat) The event will consist of Surfing & Bodyboarding contests on the Reef & Beach at Boscombe There will also be a host of demonstration equipment for you to "have a go" including, Stand Up Paddleboards, Kayaks, Surfboards & Power Kiting as well as demonstrations of various watersport activities. Along the beach & promenade there will be equipment and stalls to browse. We are looking to run a family friendly event and welcome everybody to come along and enjoy two days of fun at the beach

The Opera House , now O2 academy has some great acts coming up - check their site! Ocean Colour Scene, Tinchy Stryder, Europe, James, La Roux - that I recognise!

Boscalicious Reader Survey: Take our survey on crime in Boscombe http://bit.ly/8wzqXf

Ever thought of using Real Nappies? Are you a parent or expecting a baby and interested in finding out how to help the environment and save you money? Then why not visit a real nappies roadshow being held in Bournemouth. The Council?s recycling team has teamed up with nappy experts to stage the ?Nappucino? roadshow on Thursday 28 January at the Littledown Centre to promote the environmental and cost benefits of using washable nappies. The Nappucino roadshow runs from 11am-1pm and then again from 7.30pm-9.30pm.

Boiler Scrappage Scheme Launched Government has launched a new national scheme, the Boiler Scrappage Scheme.  Households in England can apply for a £400 voucher to help with the cost of replacing old, G-rated boilers for a new A-rated boiler or renewable heating system such as a biomass boiler or a heat pump. http://bit.ly/6e2IT1

Lollipop people needed for St Clements Rd contact the road safety officer on 451451 Lunchtime supervisors also needed, enquire at the school

New Year Tea - 2.30 - 5.00 New Year Tea 16th January 2.30.    Enigmas of Science Past and Present: Conflicting Theories - Speaker: Justin Delair 19th January, 7.30pm Bournemouth Natural Science Society 39 Christchurch Rd http://www.bnss.fslife.co.uk/programme.html

Boscanova Cafe run a youth cafe on a monday 7-9pm for ages 14-19. If you know of any kids short of stuff to do please tell them to come along. There are 2 youth workers and tones of games etc. We run a small and subsidized menu and each person gets a free drink and meal on their first visit. Please spread the word!!!

Free locks installed - book for yours to be done before March! http://bit.ly/6o5t9N Call 0300 111 3303

FREE SURF COACHING CLINIC Yes, I said free!!!, come down to Surf Steps (http://www.bournemouthsurfschool.co.uk/bournemouth-surf-school-london-contact.php ) and take part in our free surfing clinics. Although the coaching is free, the equipment, I?m afraid, is not ? our usual hire charges Although it is an open session and you can just rock up, if you email (before 5pm Friday) andy@bournemouthsurfschool.co.uk with any ideas, we will be more able to accommodate your needs?Coaching clinic date: 24th January 2010

Reef Encounter Tim Rea?s back at Reef Encounter this Friday night, 22nd January. Soul, soft rock and something a little more lively. Covers and originals from one of the South?s leading singer-songwriters.  From 8pm. Admission Free. Book a table or booth on 01202 280656 or just come and listen at the bar. STEAK NIGHT SPECIAL THIS SATURDAY, 23rd JANUARY (Full menu also available) ...£29 for two. Very popular - booking advisable. Please bring your membership card or join for free on the night. Our full menu is also available. Tel 01202 280656.

Save for Xmas 2010 Coastal Credit Union is a co-operative, not for profit savings and loans organisation with a passion for promoting budgeting and thrift in the BH postcode area. We http://www.coastalcreditunion.co.uk/

Chaplins Tomorow,23rd Bird Jaguar followed by Mr Lively..Lots More!

Police News

Surgeries

Police Neighbourhood Information Centre, The Sovereign Centre,  Boscombe Every Thursday, 2.30pm - 3.30pm & Every Saturday, 2.30 pm - 3.30 pm

Street Corner Meetings

Cecil Road

20 January 2010, 7.00 - 8.00 pm

Porchester Place

21 January 2010, 7.00 - 8.00 pm

Campbell Road

17 February 2010, 7.00 pm

Westby Road

17 March 2010, 7.00 pm

SEA ROAD PUBLIC ART TRAIL

New Blog to watch the progress of the Sea Rd Public Art Trail!

http://www.searoadpublicarttrail.blogspot.com/

A positive step forward today in the case of Leila Sabra - who so many loal residents have supported by writing over 100 letters to highlight her daughters snatching in Egypt. Leila's MP frpom Manchester has gone out to Egypt to meet with her and to help to keep the case moving. Leila has had terrible intimidation whilst looking for her child she received a text from him this week saying:

'You know your not safe, your life is not secure, Egypt is my country I know just how to welcome you''.


It is very frightening and she has had to be very brave in staying in Egypt to retain any rights as a mother under Egyptian law. 

DONATIONS CAN BE MADE TO:

Mrs Leila Sabra
Bank Halifax
Account number 00415785
Sort code 110806

ALTERNATIVELY : FOR INTERNATIONAL DONATIONS PLEASE USE PAYPAL USING:

paypal account: leila_saber@hotmail.co.uk

Tesco windmills

(photo from the facebook groupPut a windfarm in my backyard if you like, because I'm not an idiot.)

Turbines for Bournemouth Tesco get go-ahead (From Thisisdorset) http://bit.ly/5oqBkY

I am no fan of Tesco and suspect that as the turbines, which have been described by Tesco as potentially becoming local landmarks and inspiring people to 'thinkgreen' that this might be more realistically called a 'greenwash'. 

However I did think it was amusing that the main concern of the planners was reported as being the noise that might be generated, According to the Echo, The white turbines, designed by Italian company Ropatec to be as quiet as possible, do not have a gearbox or a braking system, and this seems to have put the inspectors mind at rest. 

Did anyone notice the several lanes of traffic passing by the site? All of course with gearboxes and braking systems!

Saving babies in emergencies

This week in Boscombe - Including Free Locks and Boiler grants!

Boscombe Sea Road Public Art Trail: Meet the artist Residents in Bournemouth are being invited to meet the artist appointed to design and produce a series of seven high quality public artworks forSea Road. The artworks will form a trail to link the Boscombe Spa Village regeneration scheme with Boscombe Precinct, encouraging seafront visitors up to the central shopping area. 

Boscalicious Reader Survey: Take our survey on crime in Boscombe http://bit.ly/8wzqXf

Boiler Scrappage Scheme Launched Government has launched a new national scheme, the Boiler Scrappage Scheme.  Households in England can apply for a £400 voucher to help with the cost of replacing old, G-rated boilers for a new A-rated boiler or renewable heating system such as a biomass boiler or a heat pump. http://bit.ly/6e2IT1

Lollipop people needed for St Clements Rd contact the road safety officer on 451451

The Sun Kings - The Unexpected Tragedy of Richard Carrington and the Tale of How Modern Astronomy Began - Speaker: Stuart Clark 16th January 2.30.    Enigmas of Science Past and Present: Conflicting Theories - Speaker: Justin Delair 19th January, 7.30pm http://www.bnss.fslife.co.uk/programme.html

protest over the KUBE gallery's imminent closure. It is this Saturday - 16th January. Please follow the link to see the event page. This is not only about loosing an important art space, but the people behind it who will loose their jobs. Please try to support them - and protect our only proper public gallery.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.php?eid=223144731378&index=1

Boscanova Cafe run a youth cafe on a monday 7-9pm for ages 14-19. If you know of any kids short of stuff to do please tell them to come along. There are 2 youth workers and tones of games etc. We run a small and subsidized menu and each person gets a free drink and meal on their first visit. Please spread the word!!!

Free locks installed - book for yours to be done before March! http://bit.ly/6VHAZv  Call 0300 111 3303

FREE SURF COACHING CLINIC Yes, I said free!!!, come down to Surf Steps (http://www.bournemouthsurfschool.co.uk/bournemouth-surf-school-london-contact.php ) and take part in our free surfing clinics. Although the coaching is free, the equipment, I?m afraid, is not ? our usual hire charges Although it is an open session and you can just rock up, if you email (before 5pm Friday) andy@bournemouthsurfschool.co.uk with any ideas, we will be more able to accommodate your needs?Coaching clinic date: 24th January 2010

Reef Encounter GREAT SOUNDS, GREAT STEAKS AND A LOT MORE BESIDES AT REEF ENCOUNTER THIS WEEKEND....LIVE MUSIC THIS FRIDAY, 15th JANUARY

Singer/songwriter Alex Hall at Reef Encounter this Friday night. Upfront and laid-back all in one, covers and originals. From 8pm. STEAK NIGHT SPECIAL THIS SATURDAY, 16th JANUARY (Full menu also available)We?re open from 9am on Saturday and Sunday for the Reef Encounter Big Breakfast. for just £7.95. Our giant Sunday roast served in the tin for you to help yourself.  Tel 01202 280 656.

Save for Xmas 2010 Coastal Credit Union is a co-operative, not for profit savings and loans organisation with a passion for promoting budgeting and thrift in the BH postcode area. We http://www.coastalcreditunion.co.uk/

Open Mic Night & Jam sessions at the Portman/ Green Room instruments available to use include: Acoustic Guitar Electric Guitar, Drum Kit *BANDS ARE WELCOME TO TURN UP & PLAY *RECORD YOUR ACOUSTIC LIVE SET ON TO A CD FREE ENTRY  Every Thursday: 8PM till 11PM

Chaplins Tomorow,16th Quinns Quinney followed by Mr Lively..Lots More!

Urban Reef Starting again on Wednesday the 20th January is our live music Wednesdays up in the restaurant. Offering relaxed and atmospheric entertainment are some great talented musicians. Steve Banks starts on the 20th with his melodic and jazzy interpretations followed on the 27th by Phil Dewhurst. These are great nights to take advantage of our 3 courses for £18 set menu.

Police News

Surgeries

Police Neighbourhood Information Centre, The Sovereign Centre,  Boscombe Every Thursday, 2.30pm - 3.30pm & Every Saturday, 2.30 pm - 3.30 pm

Street Corner Meetings

Kings Park Road

14 January 2010, 7.00 - 8.00 pm

Cecil Road

20 January 2010, 7.00 - 8.00 pm

Porchester Place

21 January 2010, 7.00 - 8.00 pm

Report Hate crime A hate crime is any incident where you or someone else has been targeted because they or you are believed to be different or any incident you believe was motivated by: race, religion, homophobia, transphobia or disability Incidents may involve verbal abuse, harassment, attacks, damage to your property, bullying or graffiti. By reporting such incidents, even anonymously, will help us to identify the issues in the community. report hate crime online through Dorset Police Website

Spartans Winter Swimming Club Meet at 10.45am to swim at 11am each Sunday October to April inclusive. Changing facilties and hot drinks available. Members are also welcome to meet informally May - September for summer bathing at 10am each Sunday. Seafront adj. to Boscombe Beach Office To the East of Boscombe Pier.

For more events in Boscombe see www.boscalicious.co.uk

Boiler Scrappage Scheme Launched

The Government has launched a new national scheme, the Boiler Scrappage Scheme.  Households in England can apply for a £400 voucher to help with the cost of replacing old, G-rated boilers for a new A-rated boiler or renewable heating system such as a biomass boiler or a heat pump.

The scheme is open to householders, including tenants, and landlords who privately own and rent dwellings.  To be eligible, the boiler to be scrapped must be the main boiler used to heat the home.  If the householder is under 60 years of age the boiler to be scrapped must also be in working order.  However, householders aged 60 and over can apply regardless of whether the boiler is in working order.
The £400 vouchers will be issued from 18 January 2010. Vouchers are only valid for 12 weeks from date of issue.
If you believe that your home has a G-rated or worse boiler and wish to register an interest in the scheme to receive a £400 cashback voucher towards the cost of upgrading to an A-rated boiler, then arrange for your nominated installer to visit and provide you with a quote. You will be required to provide all of the following information:
i) Your full name.
ii) The address of the property you wish to claim the voucher for.
iii) The make and name of the boiler being scrapped.
iv) The company name, address and contact details of the installer carrying out the work.
v) The type of replacement boiler to be installed e.g. gas, biomass.
vi) Confirmation that you have received a quote or visit from the installer to carry out the work.
Once you have this information please email or call ACT ON CO₂ advice line on 0800 512 012.

Email: boilerscrappage@est.org.uk

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Home-improvements-and-products/Heating-and-hot-water/Boiler-scrappage-scheme

Free locks for Boscombe residents

Do you live in Boscombe West,

Springbourne or East Cliff?

Would you like to make sure

your home is safe and secure?

Want to fi nd out more?

Call 0300 111 3303

Contact local charity Help and Care

to see if you are eligible for a FREE home

security and safety check.

Working in Partnership

Local charity Help and Care is working in

partnership with Bournemouth Borough

Council to provide free home safety and

security checks for local residents living in

specifi c postcode areas of Boscombe West,

Springbourne and East Cliff.

Call Help and Care on 0300 111 3303 to

fi nd out if you are eligible for this service.

What will happen if I am eligible ?

We will telephone you to arrange a

convenient appointment for a Help and

Care approved handyperson to visit your

home and complete a free home safety and

security check. (The handyperson will carry

a Help and Care I.D badge.)

What will happen if the check shows my

home needs work to make it secure?

Free security work and free materials

such as; fi tting spy holes, door chains and

window locks or replacing light bulbs, is

available free of charge for homes that

are in need of work. If possible work will

be carried out on the same day as your

security check.

Free Advice

Free housing information and advice,

including details of other housing services

that can provide help is also available.

BOSCOMBE SAFE AND SECURE

What do I need to do to fi nd out if I am

entitled to a free home safety and

security check?

Contact the Handiworks Team at Help and

Care.

Call 0300 111 3303 or send an email to

boscombesafeandsecure@helpandcare.org.uk.

The team will be able to advise you on

whether or not you are eligible for a free

home safety and security check.

If you are not living in the area the

Boscombe Safe and Secure team cover

they will provide you with advice and

information about other organisations that

can help.

Contact: 0300 111 3303 The Boscombe

Safe and Secure

scheme is

available until

31 March 2010

www.helpandcare.org.uk

If you would like us to contact you please

complete the form below and post it to:

Boscombe Safe and Secure,

The Handiworks Team, Help and Care,

The Pokesdown Centre,

896 Christchurch Road,

Bournemouth, Dorset, BH7 6DL

I would like to fi nd out more about

Boscombe Safe and Secure

Name:

Address:

Postcode

Contact Tel. No:

0300 111 3303

or visit

www.helpandcare.org.uk

About Help and Care

Text phone:

01202 416047

Email:

boscombesafeandsecure@

helpandcare.org.uk

Website:

www.helpandcare.org.uk

To request this document in your own language,

in large print, or on audio tape please contact

Help and Care with your full address or visit

our website.

Help and Care

The Pokesdown Centre

896 Christchurch Road

Bournemouth, BH7 6DL

Boscombe Sea Road Public Art Trail: Meet the artist

Residents in Bournemouth are being invited to meet the artist appointed to design and produce a series of seven high quality public artworks forSea Road. The artworks will form a trail to link the Boscombe Spa Village regeneration scheme with Boscombe Precinct, encouraging seafront visitors up to the central shopping area. 

The Council announced in December the appointment of Dorset-based artist Andy Kirkby to create the art trail. Now the public can meet with him to hear more about his design approach and also help inspire his thinking by sharing their ideas.

The meet-the-artist public sessions will be held on:

• Wednesday 20 January, 6.15pm for a 6.30pm start at the Chine Hotel, Boscombe
• Or pop in at any time on Saturday 23 January, Sovereign Centre, Boscombe between 11.30am – 1.30pm. 

Local artists and students are also invited to attend a meeting with Andy on Tuesday 19 January 6.30pm – 7.30pm at the Arts University College atBournemouth, Wallisdown campus.  

The artworks are being funded by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) as part of continuing efforts to help regenerate Boscombe.

Andy is highly experienced with a strong track record and has been selected by a Project Panel of local arts professionals and representatives from the Boscombe community.

At the sessions the Artist will be introducing himself, his previous work, talking about the commission and answering questions.  This is an opportunity for local people and artists to express their ideas and help inform Andy’s thinking as he develops his design concepts.

It is anticipated that the final artworks will make an important contribution to 'place-making' for residents and visitors and will provide a positive sense of identity for the Sea Road area.

To find out more, visit: http://www.bournemouth.gov.uk/Visitors/Seafront/New_developments/default.asp

  

-Ends-

Notes to editors:

About Andy Kirkby

Andy Kirkby has worked as a sculptor on public realm projects for over 25 years using a variety of materials.  Recent local commissions include the ‘Garden in the forest’ sculpture for Bishop of Winchester school and  'Orrery' a large hand cranked automata, Puddletown.

About the commission

The £74,000 commission, funded by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) as part of the Council’s cultural regeneration project for Boscombe, will consist of an orientation feature in the Edwardian Garden overlooking Boscombe Pier Approach and six public artworks located on the pavement along Sea Road.

The project aims to encourage visitors to Boscombe seafront to venture up Sea Road and explore the commercial heart of Boscombe, helping to spread economic regeneration further.

28 artists expressed an interest in the commission and following interviews with a shortlist of four, Andy Kirkby was selected by a project panel on the basis of his previous work, project experience and approach to community engagement.

About the Project Panel

The project panel is made up of arts professionals and local people including public art consultant Nicky Whittenham, Ward Councillor Lisa Northover, local resident and member of the Sea Change Boscombe community stakeholders group Steve Kent, the Council's Arts Development Officer Adam Gent and the Course Leader from the Arts University College at Bournemouth, Mike Griffiths. This panel will go on to approve the concepts and final designs.

About the Boscombe Sea Change project

The Boscombe Sea Change project is a £455,000 scheme funded by CABE incorporating:

 *   The UK’s first purpose-designed accessible beach facilities, west of Boscombe Pier

 *   Creative mood lighting within Boscombe Precinct

 *   A Sea Road arts trail linking the pier with the precinct

 *   A visitor interpretation and new public seating within Boscombe Pier Approach.

COUNCIL MEETING – 8 DECEMBER 2009

General Question to the Leader of the Council

“Communities Secretary John Denham has announced £52,632 from a fund to help many of the hardest hit areas reopen or re-use empty shops.  Funding was allocated to the top half most deprived local authority areas based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation and the highest vacancy rates.

Please can you tell me how and where this money will be spent?”

Councillor Lisa Northover 

Reply by the Leader of the Council:

‘Last Friday, 4^th December, the Government announced it was awarding a further £2.6 million to fifty more high streets as part of its ‘Real Help Now’ support.  Bournemouth Council has been awarded £52,630.

The Council has been progressing  a number of initiatives to combat the negative impact of the recession and the increasing incidence of ‘void’ space occurring in the borough. These initiatives include:

Liaison with principle commercial letting agents in the borough to create a platform to engage landlords.

Ongoing contact with potential new retailers who may not be represented in the Borough with a view to informing them of the opportunities available to invest here.

The Community regeneration Officer and the Arts Development Officer have created a proposal for ‘Art in empty spaces’, an initiative to engage local artists with unoccupied retail space.

The Town Centre Manager is working with Dance Southwest to introduce a number of creative displays early in the New Year.

The funds that have now been allocated enable us to bring forward initiatives in order to respond to this challenge posed by the recession.  I expect the funding to be directed to Boscombe, the Town Centre and North Bournemouth.’

Nick Clegg's wise words on ignoring Gina Ford , not your baby

It sounds such an appealing title; 'The Contented Little Baby Book', But follow the advice contained within at your peril!

Nick Clegg today critisised the methods prescribed in the book, having learnt for himself that they go against all natural instinct to love and cherish your children.

The book first came to my attention many years ago when quite a few of my friends were talking about this new anti breastfeeding book, Don't missunderstand this, if you look through the book the author never says anything bad about breastfeeding, in fact she says it is good - she just lays out a regime that makes it so impossible to breastfeed your baby that I have never met a mother who has followed the book who has managed it!

I have met lots of mothers who have read the book and tried to follow the instructions and this has lead to all sorts of problems with Breastfeeding. Gina Ford advice ignores the fact that babies have an intense need for human contact, her regime only trains babies to realise that crying is pointless - no-one is coming to comfort them. 

Like us, babies get thirsty at random moments, not on a fixed schedule. I don't like to wait for a glass of water when I am thirsty, and I think it is cruel to make a baby wait. 

The saddest thing about the book is that it destroys the relationship between a mother and baby. The baby is portrayed as almost inhuman, a naughty 'thing' that will take from you it you give it half a chance. The babies mother loses her unique status in the babies life, she is not anything special, she can be replaced by anyone, I guess that, as Gina Ford is a Nanny that is what she has had to do, find ways to cope with a baby that can't have for whatever reason, its mother. But Mothers who can give their babies love should not need advice on Nannying babies, They are Mothers who can Mother and that's very different.