For decades several hundred of Dorset’s blind and partially sighted people received talking books produced by the Royal National Institute for the Blind, courtesy of Dorset County Council. As part of the cuts now being imposed by the ruling Conservative group at County Hall this service has been withdrawn. Shame on them!

“In addition the Conservatives are planning to close more than one-in three of our libraries” says Cllr Richard Biggs. “I am horrified by the savaging of these essential services. The Lib Dem Group on the County Council will work with community groups across the County do all that we can to stop these cuts.”

Cllrs. Tony Lyall, Stella Jones, Trevor Jones and Tim Harries are celebrating with residents of St. George’s Road and neighbouring streets after their successful campaign to stop the location of a new dump in the area because it would have been too close to local houses.

Cllrs. Martin Graham, Susie Hosford, Robin Potter and Stella Jones of the Borough Gardens Panel are pleased that work on the Gardens is on schedule to be finished this year.

On Saturday July 22nd the Riverside Reserve is to become an officially designated Local Nature Reserve. On the day there will be events such as guided tours, rubbish clearance and tree planting. We are also setting up a ‘Friends of the Reserve’ group. LNR status will help us to run the area better for wildlife and local community use.

As a result of the lead taken by Lib Dem-run Dorchester Town Council a new CCTV scheme is due to be switched on this summer.

A total of 14 cameras will cover most of the main shopping areas and major car parks. This will help to combat vehicle crime as well as reduce vandalism and increase the security of shoppers and local businesses.

Nearly 500 people have signed the Lib Dem petition to “Save our NHS Dentists”. A total of 5 dental practices across West Dorset have now either completely stopped taking NHS patients or have drastically restricted their lists. This is a direct result of changes to the dental contract imposed by the Government.

We are completely opposed to this backdoor privatisation of dentistry and believe that patients interests must be put first. One piece of good news, however, is that a new NHS practice has opened in Princes Street. Already over 2,000 people have registered with them which shows just how needed they are.

Cllrs Andy Canning and Kate Hebditch are the Chair & Vice-Chair of the Heritage Committee which is backing a plan to improve the Millstream. The first stage will involve completely relaying the footpath between Hangmans Cottage and Friary Lane, repairing the bank along this stretch, adding picnic areas and building shallow banks into the river to help encourage wildlife.

In future years there will be additional shallow banks, improved seating and more litter bins along the rest of the river.

This year there is a real problem with there not being enough places at some of Dorchester’s schools. “More children than ever before have not been able to send their child to their first choice of school. I have even heard of some younger siblings not being able to find a place at a school where their older brother or sister are attending” says Cllr Molly Rennie.

The current system of school allocations is failing too many local children. We are urging the County Council and the Government to look again at school allocations and work towards finding a better system.

There will be a by election in Bridport North Ward as Lib Dem Councillor Tony Tiltman steps down. Tony says “I have done forty years on Bridport Town Council and I hope you will all
vote for Ros to do the next forty!”.

Ros lives in Bridport and her two children (8 and 10) attend local schools. She has always worked with young people - she has been a teacher (including a spell at Colfox) and a deputy head of sixth form and is currently a lecturer at a local college. She is also a trained health counsellor.

Ros says: “I want to help Bridport to flourish as a vibrant market town - modern enough to bring in new beneficial industries to provide decent jobs and affordable homes for our young people - but traditional enough to keep its charm as an attractive historic town, drawing on our local organic food networks and maintaining our unique artistic, cultural and musical heritage”.

All fall down in St Swithins Avenue

A lady in St Swithins Avenue told Focus that the the road surface is getting so uneven that she is scared of having a fall, which could be dangerous at her age. She has written to the Council three times. The Bridport FOCUS Team has taken this up with the County Council and sent photos to show just how bad the problem is. We will let you know what they say.

Rubbish at Orchard Avenue

An Orchard Avenue resident asks “Why don’t the dustmen pick up the rubbish on the floor where the seagulls have split the bags open? Aren’t they allowed to? We need Wheelie Bins really”. What do you think about Wheelie Bins?

Puddles at South Street and West Street Bridge

The recent monsoons have brought grumbles from pedestrians splashed by motorists speeding through huge puddles where the road has sunk. South Street near Jewsons is one of the worst. And West Street Bridge is another. Here the pavement is so narrow that there is nowhere to escape. A lady writes “I am quite fit, so I can jump out of the way, but elderly people and buggy-pushing parents get soaked. Motorists please be more considerate and more aware”. Cllr Maggie Ray has reported sunken roads.

Market car park with the Bees

LIB DEM FOCUS SURVEY show that, even when car parks are full at 11am Saturday and Wednesday market days, the Football Club Carpark is still half empty. Not many people know about it. A local shopkeeper suggests “Why don’t you do a poster for shops saying “Support your local football club and get the cheapest carparking in Bridport ” 50p ALL DAY (Half the takings go to the Bees)” Lets call it “The Market Car Park” Said Lib Dem Cllr Gill Fifield at the car park meeting Fri 23 June at the United Reform Church. The District Council agreed to get the new signs as soon as possible. ANY MORE GOOD IDEAS? Contact the Bridport FOCUS team.