Drive 55 Plus

Courses designed to refresh and update your driving skills

Drive 55 Plus is a joint casualty reduction initiative, between the three local authorities in Dorset, to reduce the numbers of drivers aged 55 plus being injured on our roads. A half day (3 hour) Driver Refresher Course aims to help drivers update their knowledge and skills. No driving is involved.

The group discussions include: new driving techniques; changes in the law and Highway Code; keeping fit to drive; motorways and roundabouts As part of a pilot scheme courses are free to attend at various venues around the county.

Dorchester Shopwatch and Dorchester North/South/East and West

The week beginning Mon 27th April a card skimming device was detected at Tesco Store, Dorchester at one of their cashpoints. Later that week paper had been pushed into card slot causing malfunction. Please if you see any suspicious activity around cashpoint machines then please inform someone immediately.

Chesil Bank Ward

Weekly Crime Report 23.4.09 - 30.4.09 150 newly planted Hawthorn trees were stolen from around a public car park at Long Bredy between 10th and 24th April. Sarah Pilcher PCSO 5410 If you have any information regarding this message please call the Dorset Police on 01202/01305 222222 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Thank you

The good news is we plan to be in the new hall in May but sadly due to circumstances beyond our control the opening date has had to be moved to Saturday 30th May. Whilst we are obviously disappointed as no doubt are the many local residents who have often greeted us with the words "Not long now." and "Doesn't it look great!", we are very keen to get it right this time, with the hall finished and looking its best, hence the realistic change of date. The wait will be worth it we can assure you.

We are now in the process of re-arranging the opening programme which we mentioned in April's BVN. Thank you to all the various groups and individuals who have made our job a lot easier by being flexible over rearranged dates. In fact it is only today (10th April) that we have been able to confirm the new opening date.

On Saturday 30th May, there will be a concert by the local and much in demand group "Exit Smiling" under the leadership of David Powell. Tickets will be on sale on the door priced £2.50 adults and £1.50 for school children. The doors will open at 7.00pm and there will be a cash bar.  On Sunday 31st a United Valley Family Service of Thanksgiving will be held in the community hall starting at 11.00pm with refreshments afterwards.

A programme of events for June will be distributed with June's BVN and displayed on the Litton web site, and any subsequent changes will be made known by other expedient means.

So, despite the change of date we continue to hurtle towards occupation of the new hall. Even at the time of writing when the interiors are still very bare bones there is little doubt it will be a stunning venue serving the community and the school in equal measure. Make Saturday 30th May a date in your diary and leave a few spare dates in June for other functions at the hall. If you would like to make a donation, a) we are delighted, and b) please contact Freddie Spicer on 482617.

The 2009 Annual Duck race held on Easter Sunday was hailed as a great success.
Glorious weather ensured a good turnout and the race went without a hitch.

The winning duck is egged-on by the crowd!

Chesil Bank Ward

Weekly Crime Report 2.4.09 - 9.4.09

Crimes

A Sat Nav was stolen from a Jaguar that was parked at Ashley Chase between 10.30am and 5.00pm on Friday 3rd April. A Peugeot 306 was broken into at the same location between 2.30pm and 3.00pm on Wednesday 8th April. On this occasion a handbag was stolen.
A Renault Megane was broken into whilst at Hardys Monument between 1.30pm and 2.30pm on Wednesday 8th April and another handbag was stolen.
A large quantity of bricks (believed to be 300 - 400) have been stolen from Long Bredy. This offence was reported on Sunday 5th April but I don't know over what timescale this has occurred.
An attempt was made to break into a garage in Abbotsbury during the night of Sunday 5th - Monday 6th April. The offender tried to force the door lock but failed to gain entry and did not steal anything.

This is a message for Church and Home Watch county wide. Originally sent on Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Dorset Police are looking for a male who is committing deception offences throughout Dorset. The report yesterday was from Weymouth. Wiltshire police also have an interest in this male. He is travelling so this message is relevant to you all.

We believe the method he uses is to find a parish or church notice board and to get names and/or addresses of people attached to the church, he then uses this info to call on those persons suggesting he has been sent by the vicar.