This is the view of the paper and cardboard recycling area near the Village Hall and the Library - and it's none too picturesque. According to the Parish Council office this morning it's emptied twice a week but if this has been emptied in the last few working days then we're remarkably diligent in this community about recycling, which is good but some of us lack common sense.

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A tree blown down in the heavy winds this morning (3rd Jan) came to rest at an awkward angle on the corner of the roof of an upstairs flat in Towers Way. Several branches have broken though but no-one was hurt. The residents returned home to find the damage and people already working on their home.

Matthew May from Minster Property Management who manage the property for the owners said that the incident occurred at around 11am while the flat was unoccupied. He inspected the inside and said the tree branches had broken through the roof in three or four places and that some tiles will need replacing and there is some damage to the roof trusses, though he was not able to give details.

Kieran Boyland Tree Services of Wimborne were on the scene working to cut through the branches and remove the tree debris. They aim to remove the tree and make the property weatherproof before nightfall. The residents have been offered temporary accommodation while their flat is made safe.

Following reports of attempted abductions of girls attending village schools in the last few days, letters warning about "Stranger Danger" have been sent to parents of children at Lockyers and Henbury view schools, while Rushcombe have had a special talk to children about stranger danger.

The driver of a white Audi is implicated in the attempted attacks and witnesses are helping the police with a profile of the man or men involved.

Anyone concerned about people they consider strangers should pass reports to the police or relevant school and not attempt to take action themselves.

(From information supplied by Parish Councillor Sarah Burns)

Concerned residents of Candy’s Lane called a public meeting in Corfe Mullen Village Hall on November 10th to discuss the proposed gypsy and traveller residential site at Candys Lane, Corfe Mullen.

Nearly 200 people took part in a lively discussion chaired by County Councillor Susan Jefferies and David Quest, a local chartered surveyor who outlined concerns raised about the residential development of this site.

The organisers stressed that their objections were based purely on legitimate planning grounds, including developing on the green belt, the visibility of the site, site access and environmental issues.

The proposed site is within green belt land and is on a 140 acre Beef Farm leased from Dorset County Council. Should permission be granted the current tenants would leave and the farm would be unviable, a great loss to the local area and community.

“We all feel that Candy’s Lane is not an appropriate location for any development, neither for housing nor for Travellers” said Susan “The residents are showing their very valid concerns. Surely we can find somewhere more suitable”.

Public exhibitions will take place on the 24th November in the Allendale Centre, Wimborne and on the 28 November in The Hub, Verwood and local residents are urged to take part in the consultation.

For more information on the process please go to
www.dorsetforyou.com/travellerpitches.

On Saturday evening, 15th October, a group called TeamMAX held a very enjoyable 'Quiz and Chilli' night at St. Nicholas Church Hall to raise money for research into causes and treatment for epilepsy through the charity 'Epilepsy Action'.

Eighteen teams took part and after a number of fiercely-fought rounds, The Dolphins (pictured) named after their children's swimming team emerged as the winners and took away a number of bottles of wine to celebrate their victory.

For more details on TeamMax and their other fundraising events, see their TeamMAX website.

Household recycling collection took an unplanned break today (Mon 19th September) when the recycling vehicle suffered mechanical problems at about 8am in Ralph road.

The broken down vehicle can be seen here, with the front jacked up ready to be taken away by a heavy-duty recovery truck, just as the low-tech replacement vehicle arrives to take over recycling collection duties.

The problem was due to a gearbox malfunction and resulted in an overall three hour delay but recycling collection has now resumed using the replacement vehicle.

Driver Jason said the faulty vehicle is on lease and was due to be replaced within the next year.

After a shaky start weather-wise, Carnival Day in Corfe Mullen was busy and enjoyable. I was there to raise money for a charity called S.P.R.I.N.G. (Supporting Parents and Relatives in Neonatal Grieving). Based at Poole Maternity Unit its aim is to support parents and relatives who have experienced the death of a baby during pregnancy, at, or just after birth. Details can be found at http://www.springsupport.org.uk [read more]

Corfe Mullen's annual carnival was threatened by the weather and we saw a little rain at the Rec while setting up but when it mattered the sun shone and the crowds came out.

The Tigers Childrens' Motorcycle Display Team provided the main arena performance. If you have pictures, please send them to us.

There is a gallery of pictures taken taken by Andrew at the Rec (with too little information) and by Lynda White during the procession.

Please have a look HERE and send us your better photos and notes or corrections to fill in the missing information. Thanks.