Latest News - Vizzit Bournemouth Online Magazine

Dorset Police Chief Constable Martin Baker braved the snow on Friday perform the ceremonial turning of the first sod at the site of the new Bournemouth custody suite.

He was joined by Cllr John Lofts, Vice-Chairman of the Dorset Police Authority and representatives of Cowling Construction (part of the Balfour Beatty Group), who have been appointed as principal contractors. Work began in early February and is due for completion in the summer of 2010.
As he welcomed those who had made it thorough such extreme weather conditions Mr Baker said: "It is only two weeks since we topped out the new police station and custody suite in Wimborne Road at Poole and we are now starting construction of a new custody suite for Bournemouth. This enables us to have state of the art facilities right across the conurbation, which is outstanding progress for the public and the Force.

Our existing facilities are barely fit for purpose and our pro-active approach to cutting crime often means that our cells are over-flowing and we are having to transport detainees around the County. The Dorset Police Authority has given us excellent support by providing the funding for us to get to this stage and now with our partners, Cowling Construction actually starting to build, it is the beginning of a new chapter for our operational facilities in the conurbation."

The £10.75m custody suite construction will provide increased cell capacity from 18 to 34 as well as more interview rooms and charge desks. This will be a 21st Century Policing facility contributing to making Dorset a safer place for residents and visitors.

Bournemouth Borough Council is working closely with The Stagewise School for the Performing Arts to help local young people develop their singing, dancing and acting skills at FREE Stagewise workshops on Sunday 19 October at the Littledown Centre.

At the FREE workshops, young people aged between 4 – 14 years old will be able to spend time with the Stagewise team and get the opportunity to take part in taster singing, dancing and acting classes. They can also find out more about the Stagewise School for the Performing Arts and how they can get involved in local and professional stage productions and performances, (Stagewise student Anthony Jenkins is currently on the national tour of Mary Poppins playing Michael Banks).

Councillor Beverley Dunlop, Cabinet Member for the Economy and Tourism said:

“Dancing, acting and singing can really help to channel young peoples’ abundant energy into being creative, helping to build confidence and self esteem. We are pleased to be working with Stagewise, helping to developing young local talent”.

Ally Cox, Principal for Stagewise School for the Performing Arts added,

“We are really thrilled to be working with the Council - the Littledown Centre is a brilliant venue for our workshops and we are really looking forward to our open day on Sunday 19 October”.

To find out more about the FREE dancing, acting and singing workshops at the Littledown Centre on Sunday 19th October, please contact the Stagewise Hotline on 0844 414 3004

Police in Poole are appealing for the public’s help in finding a vulnerable teenage boy who has gone missing from his home in the Parkstone area of the town.

Thirteen year old Joseph Hughes of Uppleby Road in Parkstone was last seen at his home at 12.15pm on Monday 22 September 2008.

He was reported missing to Dorset Police at 1.44pm that day.

It’s believed that Joseph could be sleeping in a man-made shelter in the Bournemouth or Poole area – or he could be in the Swanage, Upton, Wimborne or Dorchester areas which the teenager is familiar with.

Officers have been searching areas that Joseph is known to frequent and they have also been making checks at local hospitals in case he has been admitted.

So far, police enquiries in trying to find Joseph – including speaking to his family and friends – have drawn a blank.

Joseph has gone missing before and it is not known if he took any money with him.

Joseph is white, of slim build with brown hair and brown eyes. He speaks with a soft English accent and has a ‘J’ and ‘H’ tattoo in black ink on his right shoulder.

The teenager also has a half inch-long scar on his stomach.

When he went missing, Joseph was wearing a grey hooded top with a logo on the front and grey jogging bottoms with black trainers and yellow laces.

Anyone with information as to Joseph’s whereabouts since he went missing should call Dorset Police in confidence on 01202 222 222 while anyone who sees Joseph should contact Dorset Police by immediately dialling 999.

Missing for almost two weeks, vulnerable 13-year old girl Chelsie O'Donegan was found by police in Bournemouth late yesterday morning, Thursday 25 September 2008.

Chelsie, who comes from the Boscombe area of Bournemouth, was found by police officers in a flat in Christchurch Road in the Pokesdown area of east Bournemouth just before 11.30am.

Two people - a man and a woman - were arrested by police at the flat on suspicion of child abduction. The two arrested people were not believed to be related to Chelsie.

The two people were later released by police without charge yesterday afternoon, Thursday 25 September 2008.

Police in Bournemouth are concerned for the welfare of a 13 year old girl who has gone missing from her home in the Boscombe area of Bournemouth.

Chelsie O’Donegan, who is 13 years old, was last seen on Friday 12 September 2008 in Longfleet Road, Poole and she has not returned to her home in Christchurch Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth.

She is white, five feet tall and of slim build with blue eyes and very long straight dark brown hair. When last seen she was wearing a peach coloured hooded top, a white T shirt, light coloured jeans and black shoes.

Chelsie is known to frequent the pedestrian precinct area of Boscombe and officers believe that she is in the Boscombe area, possibly staying with friends or acquaintances.

Police Constable John Green of Bournemouth police, said: "It’s important that we find Chelsie so that we can be sure that she’s safe and well and has come to no harm. I’d urge Chelsie and anyone who knows where she is to call the police straight away."

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 01202 222 222 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.

Due to major repairs the Sandbanks chain link ferry is due to be closed on the 21st September for two months. The ferry goes out of action every two years and is taken to Southampton for an overhaul, however this year the slipways are also being refurbished casuing the service to be unavailable for longer than normal. The estimated date of opening is 17th November although this is very dependent on weather conditions. Anyone wishing to track the progress of the project should go to sandbanksferry.co.uk

Another wave of traffic surveys are all set to take place across the area in the coming months. Due to take place from September 9th until October 23rd they are part of a £2 Million study into traffic movements across the region. The surveys will take place at differing locations and times without prior notice to avoid locals from changing their normal driving patterns. The surveys when complete will help build a transport model for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and be used for planning of future road and transport improvements over the next 20 years.Road users who need to make an important journey for a flight, ferry or hospital appointment can call the project team on 01202 265260 to find out if their journey will be affected, otherwise the team are advising road users to allow extra time for all journeys across the borough.

Over £100,000 worth of  business  passed between members before 8.30am, is the proud boast of BNI’s Harbour chapter which meets every Tuesday at Esporta, Cabot Lane, Poole, right in the heart of the town’s thriving commercial and industrial community  What a  demonstration of the power of personal recommendations!

“If you want to feel confident that the tradesman or professional you employ will give first class service and value for money you can’t do better than to use a BNI member,” So says Ned Seabrook, Harbour  Chapter Director.

 The Harbour Chapter, part of an international organisation is firmly rooted in the local community. Dave Gibbs, Membership Co-ordinator, pointed out that not just anybody can join. “We only allow one representative of any one trade or profession,” says Dave. “Each applicant is thoroughly vetted to make sure they’re someone the other members will feel confident to recommend to their customers and friends.”  So, good, honest and reliable trades people and professionals step forward please!

The Harbour Chapter  welcomes visitors to any of their meetings so if you want more customers for your business just go along to Esporta next Tuesday at 6.45am, enjoy a good breakfast, and see for yourself? It won’t cost you a penny and there’s no obligation whatsoever, just ring Dave beforehand so the caterers know how many are expected. The Chapter still has vacancies in several categories for people of the right calibre so if you reckon that could be you, give Dave a call now  on 08452 606230 or 07855 959912.

Friday night in Bournemouth has recently been transformed into a Family Fiesta Night with entertainment aimed to appeal towards young children. The evening starts at 8.00 p.m when you will find entertainment in the form of stilt walkers, magicians, story tellers and others in the lower gardens and pier approach. An Under-10's disco takes place at pier approach which will be followed by a childrens' talent show. The evening is rounded off with a twist on the usual Fireworks display and live fire display in the pier approach.