7 March 2025 / 26 August 2025 by chrishenderson
The Woodpecker Play Area in Queen’s Park is set to be renewed, with a £73,000 grant secured from the Veolia Environmental Trust. The project will include new play equipment, improved facilities, and enhancements to the surrounding environment - making Queen’s Park an even better place for our community to come together. Hard-working Green Councillor for Queen's Park & Charminster, Alasdair Keddie, identified a suitable grant fund to apply to, and worked with the Queen’s Park & Charminster Neighbourhood Charity and BCP Council’s Greenspace Team to get the successful application in motion.
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6 March 2025 / 26 August 2025 by chrishenderson
Last year, local volunteers successfully took over the management of an unloved patch of land near Queen’s Park. They envisioned a haven for biodiversity and pollinators, and a facility for the whole community. This Community Garden was the first project supported by the newly relaunched Queen’s Park & Charminster Neighbourhood Charity, after new local trustees stepped up. Reviving the charity was one of Councillor Alasdair Keddie’s key goals after being elected.
13 February 2025 / 26 August 2025 by chrishenderson
On Charminster Road: The old rusty bins are being replaced with new multi-use bins. Wonky planter poles are being removed, but serviceable ones will remain. Tired, graffitied street signs are being replaced. A new bike rack will be installed outside Cecil Court. A new pavement cleaning machine is scheduled, to remove chewing gum and debris from the pavements.
17 December 2024 / 14 July 2025 by chrishenderson
Alarming holes have appeared in recent months on Acland Road in Winton East. The cause of these collapses has been weaknesses in Wessex Water's sewer lateral under the road. BCP Council undertook emergency road repairs as short-term resolution. Wessex Water also had to close the road to fix a collapse in the sewer caused by their jetting work to remove a blockage.
11 December 2024 / 29 December 2024 by chrishenderson
BCP Council has unanimously passed a motion proposed by Green Councillors Kate Salmon and Chris Rigby, to publicly support the Climate & Nature Bill being put before Parliament. Proposing the motion at Full Council, Kate Salmon said: "The Climate & Nature Bill represents the most up-to-date and science-led thinking on how the UK should tackle the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. The Bill, written by scientists and experts, was first introduced to Parliament in 2020, by former Green Party MP Caroline Lucas. At that time it was called the Climate & Ecology Bill, and it followed the declaration by the UK Government, and by councils across the country - including this one - of a Climate & Ecological Emergency."
1 December 2024 / 14 July 2025 by chrishenderson
Now that there is a new permanent Headteacher in place at St Luke's School in Winton East, Green Councillor Chris Rigby is once again helping with the development of a school travel plan. Chris has been speaking to Mr Godfrey and they are working with BCP's Sustainable Travel team. The first aim is to find ways to reduce the traffic congestion around the school at dropoff/pickup times. Chris added: "Once that's done, we can look at other schemes to assist the school, and try to make it safer for the kids getting there in the mornings."
27 November 2024 / 28 December 2024 by chrishenderson
In 2023, Winton's Christmas lights were cancelled, and BCP Council decided not to provide them any more, as part of ongoing cuts. Thanks to the fundraising efforts of Karl Payne, director of The Forge Garage in Winton, Winton East Green councillor Chris Rigby was able to work with him and BCP Council to get them back in place for 2024.
8 October 2024 / 19 October 2024 by chrishenderson
Councillor Sara Armstrong says: "As this month of October is dedicated to raising awareness of violence against women and girls - I have written to David Sidwick, Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner, to find out about the scale of it in Dorset in particular BCP and what is being done to tackle it."
7 October 2024 / 19 October 2024 by chrishenderson
Green Councillor for East Cliff & Springbourne Sara Armstrong says: "As we approach the close of the consultation in this stage to agree the boundaries of our Neighbourhood Plan and enable a Forum, I've been asked by residents about the benefits of Neighbourhood Planning. Neighbourhood plans can benefit communities in many ways."
27 September 2024 / 20 October 2024 by chrishenderson
Sara Armstrong, Green Councillor for East Cliff & Springbourne, has received a response from BCP Council's strategic lead for Green Space & Conservation, in response to concerns she raised on behalf of residents about fenced-off play equipment in Kings Park.
