A very successful fundraising effort for Wareham in Bloom was held in the Corn Exchange on 26th January. A coffee morning held in conjunction with an exhibition of pictures by the Wareham Camera Club, a competition featuring photographs of trees taken by Wareham Middle School pupils, and a jumble sale raised £350 for this year's 'In Bloom' effort. Many thanks to the members of the Wareham in Bloom Committee and all others who helped raise this magnificent sum in the space of one Saturday morning in Wareham.
Town Hall Building Works
Planning permission has been granted for the taking down of three chimneys at the Town Hall, recommended in a major survey report commissioned by the Town Council in 2005. In addition to interior gable end strengthening work undertaken last year, this project will help to increase the stability of the Town Hall roof area. The Town Hall was designed by Thomas Crickmay, Thomas Hardy's architect 'boss', in 1868 and opened for business in 1870. Although not a listed building, it is in the town's conservation area. Most of the work will take place via scaffolding placed at the rear of the building, commencing 10th March, and there will be no inconvenience to the public.
Drop In Centre for Youth
Plans for a youth oriented 'Drop in Centre' have recently been discussed at meetings of the Wareham Community Partnership, re-formed in 2007 to take forward the Wareham Community Plan under the leadership of the Town Council. A pet project of the current Mayor, Sue Elmes, nothing has yet been achieved due to a lack of suitable town centre premises. The centre would need to be supervised by qualified youth workers. If anyone has knowledge of any upcoming premises, please let us know.
Housing Action Day
A Housing Action Day has also been planned by the Wareham Community Partnership, on Saturday 5th April in the Corn Exchange. The theme is ' Affordable Housing Advice' and displays will be manned by mortgage advisors, housing professionals, District Council housing team officers etc. If you want to find out about affordable housing, shared ownership schemes, ways of getting on the housing ladder in Wareham and Purbeck, details of grants to improve your property, keep your home warm etc and many other topics, please pop in and we will be glad to see you.
Organised by the Wareham Town Trust and Wareham in Bloom, there will be a community effort on Sunday 9th March to litter pick the Wareham Walls. The town's ancient Saxon monument provides interesting and stimulating walks around the perimeter of the old town, with some lovely views of our water meadows. Let's keep them tidy for all to enjoy - if you wish to get involved, please let us know and full details will be given, or simply join the group on the day.
Stop Press: Guggenmusik Festival - it's back!
Word has been received from the organisers of the first Wareham Guggenmusik Festival in 2006 that the event will be back bigger than ever with more bands this summer - including the popular Bournemouth Gugge Band and bands from Europe. Planned for the weekend of 5/6/7 July during Wareham Carnival Week, there will be some Gugge activity at the Quay, however the main event is planned for the Wareham Recreation Ground along with other Carnival events. There will be a small admission charge but all children will be free. Make a note in your diary to come along and support your local Carnival and swing along to the Guggenmusik ('Happy Music' to those who know what it's all about).
Wareham Town Council contact details:
Tel: 01929 553006. The Town Council offices are located at the Town Hall, East Street, Wareham. Bookings are taken for the Corn Exchange, the use of the Council Chamber for weddings and civil partnerships, and for sports pitches at the Council's Recreation Ground in Worgret Road. You may also e-mail the Town Clerk at 'clerk@wareham-tc.gov.uk at any time. We look forward to hearing from you. Website: www.wareham-tc.gov.uk/
Rod Curtis, Town Clerk
