Wareham Town Crier Jacquie Hall
The Purbeck Film Charitable Trust has announced that it has agreed terms to purchase the Rex Cinema, one of Britain's oldest working cinemas located in West Street, Wareham. The Town Council recently gave its full support to the Mayor's gesture in providing £5,000 of funding towards the Trust's bid from the John Turton Norman Bequest Fund, the Mayor being the sole custodian of that fund. Along with funding from Viridor Environmental Company's Landfill Communities Fund and a grant from Purbeck District Council, the long term future of the cinema will now be secured for the people of Wareham, its local community in Purbeck and its many tourists and visitors.
Purbeck Film Trust spokesman David Evans said, 'Without doubt, we would not have had the confidence to take the project forward had it not been for the grant offer from the Mayor's Bequest Fund and the strong support of the Town Council.' The Mayor, Cllr Malcolm Russell commented: 'Our Town Council was only too ready to support such a worthwhile cause as saving the Rex Cinema. It is such a central place for many pursuits, other than films, within the town. All ages, among our diverse community, will benefit'. The Rex Cinema has been showing films since 1922 - long may it continue.
Corn Exchange - Redecoration
Wareham Town Council was pleased to see the completion of the re-decoration work undertaken in January at the Corn exchange. Excellent results have been achieved and the Exchange, used for a variety of civic, charity and commercial events, is looking its best for the first time in many years. Booking rates are very competitive and represent excellent value for money - please contact the admin office if you want to book this venue.
Hedge Cutting - Recreation Ground
The Town Council has accepted a bid from Dorset Works (ground maintenance arm of Dorset County Council) to cut its hedge at the Monmouth Road side of the Recreation Ground. Residents have been informed that a height of 10ft maximum will be maintained in future.
Purchase of Town Council Vehicle
The Town Council has recently purchased its leased Ford van, rather than agree to the costs of a new three year lease without prospect of ownership at the end of the lease period. Familiar around and about the local community, the diesel fuel van has a mileage of under 11,000 miles from new in 2006 and will give many years of service before the need for replacement.
At the Town Council meeting of 13th January 2009, the Council unanimously approved its 2009/2010 Precept (share of the local Council Tax) for submission to Purbeck District Council in the sum of £103,897.00. Mindful of the need to accomplish a number of major projects (including the Phase III works to the exterior of the Town Hall in 2009) the amount has been kept to the minimum possible and was the result of many hours of budget deliberations in November and December 2008. The resulting Precept represents expenditure of less than 1p per household per day on the average Council tax bill.
Oyez, Oyez!
New Town Criers Competition!
The Town Council has given its financial and venue support to a new Town Criers Competition which will take place on Saturday 11th July 2009. Visiting Criers hosted by Wareham's own Crier, Mrs Jacquie Hall, will parade, bells ringing out through the town, with their fully costumed escorts on the way to the Quay/River Frome for the competition. Two cries will be judged, a home town cry and a cry of the Council's choice. I organised many such competitions as Assistant Town Clerk in Yeovil for several years and I am pleased that Wareham will now have its own version to help pull in visitors to our town during the summer. Many thanks to Yeovil's Town Crier, Bruce Trigger, for his help and support with our plans.
Wareham Music Festival 2009 - Ceilidh
The Council has also supported plans of a local voluntary group to stage a Wareham Music Festival on the weekend of 4th, 5th and 6th September 2009. Music of all types is encouraged and will be staged at various venues including local pubs and the Quay. The Council has agreed terms for the use of the Corn Exchange which will be used as a base and for major performances over the three day period. To raise funds for the Festival, there will be a Ceilidh folk music and dance evening - featuring the well known professional 10 piece 'Committee Band' with its own caller - at the Purbeck School on Saturday 14th February. Tickets available from Farwells at £6 each, plus various Music Festival Committee members including the Town Clerk - see you there! Festival website:
www.wareham-music.org.uk
where you can also order tickets.
