Prizes Available for taking part in Local Business Survey - Your thoughts please

 

Prizes include: Locally grown flowers from Common Farm Flowers in Charlton Musgrove (to the value of £55)
£50 Dining Voucher at The Ship at West Stour www.shipinn-dorset.com
Sausages and Bacon from the Ginger Piggery www.thegingerpiggery.co.uk
Selection of ales from Sixpenny Brewery www.sixpennybrewery.co.uk
Coffee & Cake at Divine Wines in Wincanton

The Heart of Wessex Local Action Group is working with local people and businesses to develop opportunities for improving the rural economy and quality of life for people living and working in the area through a targeted grants programme. The next round of funds (2015 – 2020) is focused on economic growth and jobs. 

LEADER is a community-led European funding programme that supports rural community development. The planning, decision making and implementation is done at a local level, carried out by a Local Action Group (LAG). The LAG is managed locally and made up of private, public and community sector volunteers with a wide range of experience and knowledge of local rural issues. 

We are currently engaging local communities and businesses to ascertain local issues and priorities. These will then be used to help write the bid (known as a Local Development Strategy) to Defra in September 2014 to bring investment into the local area. Grants are likely to be available from early 2015. 

We want to hear your ideas and we particularly welcome new innovations and collaborative projects. Give us a call if you have a business development or community project idea and think LEADER funding could help. We would particularly like to hear from people involved in: 

* Farming * Operating small businesses located in a rural area * Producing or selling locally produced food * Tourism attractions or providing holiday accommodation * Providing community services or facilities in a rural setting * Promoting low-carbon, energy efficiency or climate resilience * Restoring, preserving and enhancing eco systems dependent upon agriculture and forestry 

If you are a business, or are thinking of starting a business please take the time to complete this short survey, there are lots of prizes on offer.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HeartOfWessexRuralBusinessSurvey 

Cranborne Chase AONB Annual Forum - Your chance to be involved

Online Ticketing for Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Annual Forum 2014 powered by Eventbrite

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

 

It is with great pleasure that I invite you to attend the 2014 Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’s Annual Forum.

 

Coffee/tea will be available from 10.00am and the day will finish promptly at 4.30pm.

 

In the morning your AONB team will give a brief report of Partnership achievements during 2013-2014 followed by a brief outline of work to be undertaken during 2014-2015, that helps achieve the aims of the new 2014–2019 Management Plan.

 

One of those aims is to achieve ‘Dark Night Sky status’ for the AONB over the next two to three years. Well-known Dorset astronomer Bob Mizon, UK Co-ordinator, British Astronomical Association Campaign for Dark Skies will be on hand to explain what this all means and how everyone within the AONB can help.

 

After lunch there will be two sessions for delegates to attend:
 

• We have the Mizar Travelling Planetarium with Bob Mizon M.B.E, F.R.A.S. who is one of the most experienced travelling planetarium operators in the UK http://www.mizar-astro.freeserve.co.uk/astro/
• There are various ongoing projects within the AONB to commemorative World War I. Discover what was involved in drawing these projects together, and see the exhibition of maps and photographs.
• http://www.wylyevalley1914.org.uk/               
• http://www.fovantbadges.com/                 
• http://www.sutton-down-badges.com/      

 

Spaces are limited so please book by Monday 23rd June or, alternatively, you can reply by email to shirleymerrick@cranbornechase.org.uk  As lunch is provided please email Shirley if you have any dietary requirements.         

 

If you cannot attend in person, please do consider sending a deputy. Once again, we look forward to meeting you at the New Remembrance Hall, Charlton on 1st July.

 

Yours sincerely,

Linda Nunn 

Director Cranborne Chase AONB

 

War Memorials Grant Scheme (England)

English Heritage and the Wolfson Foundation, in association with Friends of War Memorials, are providing grants for the repair and conservation of free-standing war memorials in England. These grants are intended to help those who are responsible for the upkeep of war memorials. The grants are designed to support the care and preservation of war memorials to a high standard, and to prevent the decay of this important part of our built heritage. Grants will normally be for up to a maximum of 75% of eligible costs, with a maximum grant of £30,000. The next closing date for applications is the 30th June 2014. Read more at: http://www.warmemorials.org/grantsforwarmemorials/

Celebrate the summer with Artsreach!

Artsreach continues to bring professional performances to rural venues right across Dorset. This summer, there’s a whole variety of things on offer; everything from classical quintets to big, bouncy balls; award-winning Balkan bands to contemporary Shakespeare. There’s something for everyone in the new Artsreach summer programme:

Music

This summer Artsreach presents a range of high calibre musical performers. Belshazzar’s Feast, featuring the much-loved Paul Sartin and Paul Hutchinson are renowned on the English folk scene for their unusual mix of humour, folk, classical, jazz, pop and music hall. Celebrating their 20th anniversary, expect an unforgettable live experience when they arrive in Dorset! Red Hippo will be parading an array of instruments including sousaphone, Irish whistles, saxophones and strings, as they explore a musical world influenced by traditional English, Irish and Scandinavian folk melodies and tunes. Tim Laycock and Phil Humphries will continue ‘Rooting around the Ridgeway’ following the success of last autumns West Gallery workshops, this time exploring the folk songs collected in Dorset by the Hammond Brothers in workshops leading to a public performance. Following the release of a highly acclaimed new album, She’koyokh are back with more soulful Gypsy melodies, toe-tapping Yiddish music, exhilarating Balkan dances, Turkish ballads, and virtuosic solos. The visible energy and passion poured into their performances won them a host of new followers at The Exchange last summer, and their return is much anticipated. Each representing one of the string sections of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, five gifted musicians come together as the BSO Resonate Strings. Their engaging ‘Summer Serenade’ concert will reflect the wonderful diversity of the classical string repertoire and will feature music from across the centuries from composers such as Bach, Pachebel and Mozart to Jenkins, Joplin and Warlock.

Theatre

A whole host of Artsreach favourites will be treading the boards with new productions over the coming months. For anyone who's ever craved the last word, Theatre Alibi presents a very human comedy about arguing. From farcical fisticuffs at a wedding disco to squabbling for control of the TV remote, ‘Hammer & Tongs’ is physical, funny, absurd, musical, moving, and absolutely bloody-minded. The company brings its national tour to a close with one performance in Dorset on the Artsreach circuit. Expect the unexpected in ‘The Ballad of Martha Brown’, Angel Exit's latest original drama based on the life and times of the last woman publicly hanged in Dorset. Presented in the company's rich visual style, blending storytelling and striking physicality, this show is spliced through with wicked humour, an original score and macabre songs. The much anticipated West Country tour this year by Bristol Old Vic Theatre School sees the stars of the future taking on Georges Feydeau’s high spirited romp ‘Sauce For The Goose’. Stuffed with preening characters knitting their legs in sexual frustration, its heady mix of passions, pace and pleasure are the perfect mix for a good night out. Finally, Artsreach and Miracle Theatre invite you to take a trip into uncharted waters, and find yourself wrecked on a treacherous shore. Celebrating their 35th anniversary, they apply their offbeat and humorous style to Shakespeare’s classic ‘The Tempest’ to create a fresh and musical adaptation. This special open-air tour is the culmination of the Artsreach summer season, so wrap up warm, grab a blanket, pack a picnic and be entertained by this outstanding Cornish company.

FREE EVENTS!Families in Dorset are in for a treat in May as ‘The Big Bounce’ arrives at Kingston Maurward. In a fun and visually stunning event, a humorous story of learning how to play is told with acrobatics, dozens of large coloured balls and one GIANT ball. This fabulously playful, free outdoor performance is suitable for children aged 5 years and under. Bring a picnic rug and come ready to play; boing boing boing!

PUBS PROJECT

This summer, Artsreach are teaming up once more with the hilarious Living Spit (‘The Six Wives of Henry V111) to bring their latest idea to the County – a show for pubs. In an effort to reach new audiences and support rural pubs, ‘One Man & His Cow’ is specifically designed to be performed in a bar, and will be free for all to enjoy. Overflowing with a multitude of catchy songs, agricultural clichés and farmyard frolics, this show is coming to a pub near you soon...

Full details including dates, venues and individual box office numbers can be found at www.artsreach.co.uk, where you can also sign up to the Artsreach mailing list. Outlets where you can pick up a copy of the programme include libraries, arts centres and tourist information centres across Dorset. You can also find Artsreach on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with the latest news and join in the rural touring conversation.

Discover Chalke Valley Business Website - Your chance to be involved

Following the success of the Sustainable Rural Tourism project for the www.discovernadder.org.uk website we have secured further funding to develop a sister site for the Chalke Valley which extends from Nunton to Berwick St John.

A new website is planned to promote the area as an outstanding destination for people to visit benefiting businesses like pubs, shops and accommodation providers, and provide ready made experiences for visitors who are interested in the outdoors and who wish to discover more about the history and wildlife of the area. Online you will find an interactive map of businesses in the area and be able to download informative walking and cycle routes for visitors to enjoy. Information packs containing all of this may also be made available.

If you run a pub, restaurant, B&B or local shop to name a few do come along to learn more about how your business can be involved so that together we can demonstrate to visitors how passionate we are about promoting this wonderful area and supporting each other in their business endeavors.  

Each business will receive a free website listing and an opportunity to network with like minded local organisations together with useful marketing tools to market your business.

To apply you are invited to apply online providing a description of your business together with a promotional image. Please forward to info@cranbornechase.org.uk 

We are also seeking volunteers to help design a number of walks and cycle routes so if this interests you do get in touch.

PENTRIDGE UNVEILS ITS HIDDEN PAST

ARCHAEOLOGIST REVEALS ALL

Pentridge Village Hall: Weds 7th May at 7pm
As you make your way along the A354 from Woodyates, past Pentridge towards Sixpenny Handley, you may notice some very unusual features.  Were you to examine a local Ordnance Survey map however, you would notice some even stranger names. So what does this all mean and who or what has transformed our landscape in this extraordinary way? 

To answer these questions and more, Steve Wallis, Senior Archaeologist at Dorset County Council, also author and keen photographer, will be coming to Pentridge to give an illustrated talk in which he will endeavour to guide us through the history of this amazing landscape.  He has also agreed to share some fascinating discoveries made during  excavations on the site of the Weymouth Relief Road.

It promises to be a most enjoyable evening. Entrance will be £10 to include a glass of wine and light refreshments. Booking essential, see details below.

A GUIDED WALK IN AND AROUND PENTRIDGE

Meet at Pentridge Village Hall: Saturday May 24th at 11am
To complement his talk, Steve Wallis has kindly agreed to offer a guided walk.  On this occasion Steve will guide us through some of the many historic and natural features of the landscape, highlighting archaeological discoveries in and around Pentridge. This will involve some steep climbs, but I can assure you it will be worth the effort. Sensible shoes are recommended.

The price will be £10 to include a picnic lunch consisting of an award-winning handmade Cornish pasty, (a vegetarian option available on request), washed down with refreshing Somerset cider. The walk will be limited to 30 people.

We are most grateful to Steve for giving up his valuable time to be with us on these two days and hopefully, when we next venture out into our stunning countryside, it will be with a greater knowledge and understanding.  As Einstein himself said, on observing the countryside, “The joy of looking and comprehending is nature’s most beautiful gift”.

For booking or more information, email pentridgevillage@gmail.com or contact Jill on : 01725 552050

Help secure funding for rural communities

We need your help!

The recent 5 year RDPE  (Rural Development Programme for England) of which the Sowing SEEDS Local Action Group (LAG) funding was part, has now ended. A number of projects in the AONB benefited from this funding including Hindon Village Shop, Semley Shop, Chalke Valley Community Hub, Mere and Tisbury Chambers of Trade, Stourhead Kindling,  Kingston Lacey Glasshouse project  and the AONB Sustainable Tourism Project - Discover Nadder.

Every LAG in the UK is now in a period of transition (2014) where we have the opportunity to develop a bid for future funding from the next RDPE which is expected to start in January 2015. There is no guarantee of further funding! We need your help to secure funding to support new projects from 2015 to 2020.

The photo below shows when and where forthcoming meetings will be held.  We really do need to show that many, many people are involved in Local Action and most importantly that we want it to continue into the next programme period. This is your chance to say what the priorities are for your area and to put forward project suggestions.

Please forward to your friends, colleagues and contacts and encourage them to come along and support the LAG.

We very much appreciate your support in helping us to secure these vital funds and we look forward to seeing you at one of the upcoming meetings

Discover Nadder Website Launched

www.discovernadder.org.uk

Discover Nadder, a new website promoting tourism and businesses in the Nadder Valley, is now live; ideal if you are running a tourism related business across the Cranborne Chase AONB.

The website was put together by Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, working in partnership with partners and local businesses, as part of a Sustainable Rural Tourism Pilot Project to help improve the visitor economy of the area. 



We hope the site will promote the Cranborne Chase AONB as an outstanding destination for people to visit benefiting businesses like pubs, shops and accommodation providers, and provide ready made experiences for visitors who are interested in the outdoors and wish to discover more about the history and wildlife of the area.

The Nadder Valley stretches from Wilton to Shaftesbury and includes part of Wiltshire and Dorset. It is a beautiful and largely undiscovered area with over 30 picturesque villages dotted along the River Nadder. Highlights include:

• Tisbury, the largest of the Nadder Valley villages; at its heart is a friendly and thriving High Street as well as a convenient railway station for day-trippers wishing to come from Salisbury.
• Postcard pretty historic villages like East Knoyle, birthplace of architect Sir Christopher Wren whose masterpiece was St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.
• The wild open expanses and tranquillity of the chalk downs.
• Great historic estates of Dinton Park, Fonthill and Wardour.
• Ancient churches, Iron Age Hill Forts and ancient burial grounds.
• Major attractions like Old Wardour Castle near Tisbury, one of the Nadder Valley’s best kept secrets.

The AONB and South West Wiltshire Area Board have recently committed funding to create a similar website for the Chalke Valley. If you would like to be involved in this process or have any comments/suggestions on ‘Discover Nadder’ then please contact Steve Harris, Community Area Manager for South West Wiltshire Area Board. There will be an evening on Thursday 27th February when you can drop in to learn more about this exciting venture at the Crown Alvesdiston from 4 - 7pm. 

Walk Unlimited Brings A Fresh New Look To National Trails

 

National Trails website puts you one click away from the best trails in England and Wales

The official launch of the new National Trails website has taken place (www.nationaltrail.co.uk) which is packed with practical information and new maps for the 15 National Trails in England and Wales offering over 2,500 miles of some of the best walking, riding and cycling experiences for people who love outdoor adventures. National Trails pass through many stunning and diverse landscapes, and there is something to suit everyone: from short walks to a life-changing 630 mile long-distance coastal trek.

The new web site is the result of an innovative partnership between Natural England, Natural Resources Wales, and site developer and owner, Walk Unlimited.  The site uses high quality mapping thanks to support from the Ordnance Survey, showing the Trails in great detail as well as nearby attractions and facilities to visit – such as castles, churches, parks and museums. 

Recommended itineraries for walking and cycling are easily downloadable, and there are ideas for tailored outings such as geocaching trails too.  Families, outdoor enthusiasts and walkers – solo or in groups – can use the website with ease to plan the best exploration of our National Trails.

For the first time, new interactive features mean that local businesses can upload details of the services they provide to people visiting the area. This includes how to get there and where to stay, what to see and where to eat, and where to find facilities such as bike hire shops, horse-riding stables and outdoor equipment shops.

Trail users and local residents can upload content including photographs, word-of-mouth recommendations and reviews, plus details of visitor events. Together they give an insider’s view on National Trails, from where to eat fabulous ice cream, to where to see spectacular views, find hidden treasures and spot wonderful wildlife. They can even use the site to report any relevant ‘breaking news’ issues – making the website a topical, as well as useful, resource for planning your Trail visit.

Environment Minister, Dan Rogerson, said: “National Trails pass through some of the most stunning landscapes in Britain and are a welcome attraction for visitors. This new website will make it easier for people to make the most of the countryside and can help build stronger local economies and businesses.”

John Griffiths, Minister for Culture and Sport at the Welsh Government said: “This development should enable businesses to further benefit from our well established National Trails, as well as improve the experience of visitors. The Wales Coast Path has provided a significant economic boost for Wales and local businesses since it opened, and capitalises on the Welsh countryside and coast being a fantastic draw for visitors to Wales. It’s important that we continue to invest in the trail facilities and information so that they are up to the job of giving people a quality experience.”

Anne Clark, Walk Unlimited’s Managing Director, said: "We're really excited to have the responsibility for promoting National Trails. They are the best trails in the country and we want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy them. The new website is just the start of our work to raise awareness of these fabulous trails, and the amazing landscapes they pass through." 

Liz Newton, Natural England’s Access and Engagement Director, said: “Our countryside is inspirational – this web site will help more people to discover it. Walk Unlimited have been a great partner to work with and are running the site as a self-funding commercial enterprise meaning that National Trails can be effectively marketed without having to draw on the public purse.”

Emyr Roberts, Chief Executive of Natural Resources Wales, said: “Walking is hugely popular in Wales with both local people and visitors who enjoy our beautiful and varied countryside – bringing with them a welcome boost to our economy.

“As well as the financial benefits walking also brings with it many health benefits, we already know that *34% of visitors to National Trails are motivated by the health benefits they will get from the exercise. The website will be a really useful tool for everyone looking to get out and enjoy our magnificent countryside.”

The URL for the new website is: www.nationaltrail.co.uk
Follow @NationalTrails and visit Facebook (thenationaltrails)

Fingerpost Champion Campaign shows the way forward

Our neighbouring Dorset AONB is running a Fingerpost Champion Campaign. There are many reasons to become a champion you could be a small community group or maybe a tradesman who can offer your workshop or services,  or maybe supply of wood as people seek to restore the fingerposts that are very much a feature of our local countryside. 

Alternatively you could simply help them survey these special fingerposts. 

Contact the Dorset AONB who will be very happy to discuss the process, and provide the information and advice that you will need.

Are you a community champion embarking on a renewable energy project? Then this for you.

PlanLoCaL is a programme of work from the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE), which is designed to give communities embarking on a community energy project the confidence, knowledge and ambition to achieve a low-carbon future for their area.

It provides support on positively influencing strategic planning, as well as driving forward low-carbon initiatives in their area. The name PlanLoCaL derives from 'Planning for Low-Carbon Living'.

The website acts both as a resource bank and a tool to help empower communities. It acts as a way of bringing together a lot of information and resources which will support motivated, but not necessarily knowledgeable communities, groups and individuals to get a renewable energy project off the ground in their community.

A number of events are planned this July. The events will showcase the new PlanLoCaL toolkit on Energy Efficiency and the Green Deal, and help attendees to discover how the resources can be used to effectively plan and run a community project.

We have one-day events planned in Birmingham, Manchester, London and Bristol, aimed at community groups and organisations set up to support them. A flyer is attached giving more detail.

 If you’d like to attend please sign up by following the links to each individual event below:

 Friday  5^th July – The Priory Rooms, Birmingham http://planlocalbirmingham.eventbrite.co.uk/

Saturday 6^th July – Bridge 5 Mill, Manchester http://planlocalmanchester.eventbrite.co.uk/

Friday 12^th July – Roots and Shoots, London http://planlocallondon.eventbrite.co.uk/

Saturday 13^th July – The Create Centre, Bristol http://planlocalbristol.eventbrite.co.uk/

Spaces are filling up quickly so sign up now, and don’t forget to pass the information on to your community contacts!

AONB Management Plan Survey

We would like your help to ensure the Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) remains a special landscape.  Please take a few minutes to complete the short questionnaire below.

In addition to this questionnaire, we are holding a number of 'drop in' sessions across the AONB to hear your views. It would be great if you could come along to one of them. No need to let us know, just pop in! 

Monday 22nd April
Tarrant Hinton Village Hall, 6 Northfield, Blandford DT11 8JD 4pm-9pm

Tuesday 23rd April
Victoria Hall, High Street, Tisbury, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP3 6LD 4pm-9pm

Wednesday 24th April
The George Inn (Wylye Suite), Longbridge Deverill, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 7DG 4pm-9pm

Thursday 25th April
Sixpenny Handley Village Hall, Common Rd, Sixpenny  Handley, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP5 5NJ 4pm-9pm

The draft Management Plan is due to be produced for consultation in June 2013 and if you would like the opportunity to comment on this please provide an email address below or get in touch with the AONB office on 01722 517417 or info@cranbornechase.org.uk

Finally, if you would like to receive details about the AONB Annual Forum this year, please contact us. It will take place at Dinton Village Hall, Bratch Lane, Dinton, Salisbury SP3 5EB on May 16th.

Thank you for your help.

Survey Link: www.surveymonkey.com

Tisbury named in Sunday Times "Best Places to Live" Guide

One of the AONBs picturesque villages has been named one of the best places to live in the UK to live in The Sunday Times ‘Best Places to Live’ Guide.  The guide has taken into account transport links, schools, natural beauty, low crime rate, property price, cultural life and unemployment figures.  In addition, each area has also been assessed on its own individual assets, whether it has a local festivals/events associated with it or fascinating architecture.  

Tisbury is the largest settlement in the AONB.  Steeped in history, its home to one of the largest tithe barns in the UK, still in existence.  The 12th Century parish church of St John the Baptist boasts a 4,000yr old yew tree, one of the oldest in Britain.  Most of the older houses are built from locally quarried Chilmark stone and many have thatched roofs.  With a railway station it offers easy links for those travelling to/from Salisbury, London and Exeter, and a traditional High Street of small independent shops and businesses located just a few minutes walk from the station.  It’s the perfect base to explore the area and AONB with an exciting variety of things to see/do. 

There are many local attractions like the spectacular Old Wardour Castle, a fine example of a 14th Century castle a few miles away, wide variety of excellent local places to stay and eat, walking, cycling and other outdoors pursuits.  It’s a friendly place and most people who move to the area or visit rarely want to leave so why not plan a visit soon?

Cranborne village becomes a Vodafone local “Champion”

The Dorset village of Cranborne is the latest rural community to receive a helping hand from technology giants Vodafone in an effort to improve 3G mobile phone coverage. Cranborne has become one of a cluster of local Champions to use the new Vodafone ‘open femto’ technology which provides vital connectivity in rural areas battling with poor broadband and 3G signal coverage. Low or no connectivity makes economic growth impossible given all the other problems that these areas share with urban communities.

In 2011 Ofcom released a report highlighting the poor state of the UK’s communications infrastructure. Ofcom found 3G coverage was concentrated in urban areas and revealed that typically 2G signals reach only 66 percent of the country, with 3G signals reaching only an almost unbelievably low 13 percent.

In an effort to tackle these mobile not-spots, Vodafone has launched 12 trials for community-wide femtocells; the Dorset village of Cranborne being one of these to benefit. “These trials present a very real opportunity for rural communities to play a positive role in extending mobile coverage locally,” said the operator.


With the help of a Community Champion the Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs AONB, local MP Bob Walter and the local Parish Council, Cranborne village put together an application to be a trial community, fighting off some stiff competition which resulted in 170 initial applications that in turn were shortlisted to 20 from which the final 12 were chosen. As a result Cranborne now hosts 5 village Metro Cells which generate a Vodafone mobile signal which will doubtless be of enormous benefit to those living and working in the area. This will help everyone from delivery drivers, the local vet or doctor out on their rounds, the local B&B helping its residents to the local teenager wishing to use their social media apps.


On the 15th March a celebratory event launching the Cranborne village femto programme will be held. Bob Walter MP and Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, together with members of the local Parish Council, and key local businesses and residents will meet to celebrate; almost certainly with mobile in hand. Bob Walter commented in his letter of support that, “bringing a mobile phone signal to the area will not only make the day-to-day lives of residents, considerably easier, but will also help to sustain the economy of this rural village and create jobs and growth at a time when many rural villages are stagnating.”


Debbie Ward, chief executive of Dorset County Council, added "It's great that people in Cranborne Chase have been connected to 3G mobile phone signal. There are huge benefits for local people and businesses in having mobile access to the internet. Technology is advancing rapidly and it's vital that rural communities in the county are not forgotten."

Sure Signal

Vodafone is one of the few operators in the UK to offer femtocells to customers in order to solve the vexing issue of poor mobile phone reception. Otherwise known as Vodafone Sure Signal this small device, about the size of a broadband router, is available relatively cheaply from the operator for householders or businesses suffering signal failure. Whilst it does completely transform the mobile phone signal within a building, its coverage is limited and it only works with Vodafone handsets.


This ground-breaking femtocell technology has now been extended to make a real difference to rural communities similarly suffering. The open femto boxes are slightly bigger in size, and are more robust for the outdoor environment. Boxes are mounted on the outside of buildings and enable a signal to be generated within 300 meters, although the signal can be weakened by trees, walls, or anything else that gets in the way, hence the need for this new pilot study.

In time Vodafone hope the process can be rolled out to many more communities although it does require a lot of community co-operation. Unfortunately though this new technology will not be a green light to solving connectivity issues across the UK as by its very nature, open femto technology is only suitable for small areas, so ideal for small communities, especially public meeting places or focal points which are being called 'community hubs'. For coverage over a wider area, the installation of mobile phone masts remains the best option.

Community Shops Awards

The Plunkett Foundation has embarked on a search for the best examples of community action by launching the first ever Community Shop Awards - click here to find out how to nominate one of the ever growing number of community shops in South West Wiltshire!

Cranborne village becomes a Vodafone local “Champion”

The Dorset village of Cranborne is the latest rural community to receive a helping hand from technology giants Vodafone in an effort to improve 3G mobile phone coverage. Cranborne has become one of a cluster of local Champions to use the new Vodafone ‘open femto’ technology which provides vital connectivity in rural areas battling with poor broadband and 3G signal coverage. Low or no connectivity makes economic growth impossible given all the other problems that these areas share with urban communities.  

In 2011 Ofcom released a report highlighting the poor state of the UK’s communications infrastructure. Ofcom found 3G coverage was concentrated in urban areas and revealed that typically 2G signals reach only 66 percent of the country, with 3G signals reaching only an almost unbelievably low 13 percent.

In an effort to tackle these mobile not-spots, Vodafone has launched 12 trials for community-wide femtocells; the Dorset village of Cranborne being one of these to benefit. “These trials present a very real opportunity for rural communities to play a positive role in extending mobile coverage locally,” said the operator.

With the help of a Community Champion the Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs AONB, local MP Bob Walter and the local Parish Council, Cranborne village put together an application to be w trail community, fighting off some stiff competition which resulted in 170 initial applications that in turn were shortlisted to 20 from which the final 12 were chosen.  As a result Cranborne now hosts 5 village Metro Cells which generate a Vodafone mobile signal which will doubtless be of enormous benefit to those living and working in the area. This will help everyone from delivery drivers, the local vet or doctor out on their rounds, the local B&B helping its residents to the local teenager wishing to use their social media apps.

On the 15^th March a celebratory event launching the Cranborne village femto programme will be held.  Bob Walter MP and Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, together with members of the local Parish Council, and key local businesses and residents will meet to celebrate; almost certainly with mobile in hand. Bob Walter commented in his letter of support that, “bringing a mobile phone signal to the area will not only make the day-to-day lives of residents, considerably easier, but will also help to sustain the economy of this rural village and create jobs and growth at a time when many rural villages are stagnating.”

Sure Signal

Vodafone is one of the few operators in the UK to offer femtocells to customers in order to solve the vexing issue of poor mobile phone reception. Otherwise known as Vodafone Sure Signal this small device, about the size of a broadband router, is available relatively cheaply from the operator for householders or businesses suffering signal failure. Whilst it does completely transform the mobile phone signal within a building, its coverage is limited and it only works with Vodafone handsets.

This ground-breaking femtocell technology has now been extended to make a real difference to rural communities similarly suffering. The open femto boxes are slightly bigger in size, and are more robust for the outdoor environment. Boxes are mounted on the outside of buildings and enable a signal to be generated within 300 meters, although the signal can be weakened by trees, walls, or anything else that gets in the way, hence the need for this new pilot study.

In time Vodafone hope the process can be rolled out to many more communities although it does require a lot of community co-operation. Unfortunately though this new technology will not be a green light to solving connectivity issues across the UK as by its very nature, open femto technology is only suitable for small areas, so ideal for small communities, especially public meeting places or focal points which are being called 'community hubs'. For coverage over a wider area, the installation of mobile phone masts remains the best option. 

Cheaper Energy bills for Wiltshire residents

You can save hundreds of pounds on your energy bills as the council has joined the UK’s largest collective energy switching scheme.

The bulk-buying project will enable every household in Wiltshire to join with other communities in the UK and become a single unit to negotiate cheaper energy bills. It is expected residents could see energy savings of between £60 and £200 a year.

The initiative is the largest and most inclusive of its kind in the UK. In total 14 local authorities will join together as part of the collective lead by Peterborough City Council. You can now register your interest in being part of the switching scheme by visiting www.readytoswitch.co.uk You can register your details free of charge, giving your current energy usage figures for gas and electricity. 

Could you use the bus to get to work, but it’s too far to walk to the bus stop?

The council has won funding to install cycle parking at bus stops in Southern Wiltshire which is likely to be a smart-card accessible compound for around 5 bikes, or a couple of lockers. Some examples of the places we might investigate are Codford, Steeple Langford, Amesbury, the Winterbournes, Nunton and Downton.  

If you know of any locations in southern Wiltshire which would benefit from cycle parking at bus stops, please send suggestions to Transportation@wiltshire.gov.uk.

Please be as specific as you can about the locations (e.g. Winterbourne Gunner – Policeman’s Corner for example), and tell us how often you might park your bike there.

EA warns Dorset residents on winter flood risk

The Environment Agency and Dorset County Council say there may be an increased risk of groundwater flooding if there is prolonged rainfall.


Groundwater flooding will usually occur days or even weeks after rainfall and can continue for many weeks. Flooding may also ‘pool’ in low lying areas and can form springs in unlikely places, such as hillsides.

DCC has been successful in receiving funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to carry out a study into the flooding that affected properties and infrastructure along the south Winterbourne in early July.


Brian Richards, flood risk manager at Dorset County Council, said: “The study will look at possible options to help lessen flood damage should similar rainfall and groundwater conditions occur in the future.


The EA provides a free flood alert service for flooding from groundwater. This allows people to receive information by phone, email and text when there is a possibility of groundwater flooding in a specific area.


To sign-up to the free flood warning service either visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floods/groundwater or call the 24-hour Floodline on 0845 988 1188.

A ‘Flooding from Groundwater’ leaflet is available at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floods/groundwater

Dorset residents are being urged to register their interest in superfast broadband ahead of a planned roll-out next summer.

The plan to improve network speeds across rural areas of Dorset is being finalised at the moment with Dorset County Council apparently close to determining a supplier for the infrastructure.


Dorset residents can improve the chances of the new network reaching their area by filling out a short questionnaire on DCC's website.
Under the Superfast Dorset project, all areas of Dorset are to receive a minimum of 2megabits per second (Mbps) by the end of 2014. 90-95% of Dorset will be able to purchase packages from their supplier of at least 24Mbps (current average is 6Mbps).
Robert Gould, Dorset County Council Cabinet member for the environment, said: "We need to demonstrate to suppliers that people in Dorset want this. The more people who register their interest from a particular area, the more likely that area will be included. Please register now, at www.dorsetforyou.com/superfast or by ringing 01305 221048."