15th March 2005
COLOURFUL COAT FOR STREETWISE CENTRE
Construction company Bluestone has completed the redecoration of the main entrance hall of a Bournemouth centre which aims to give local youngsters guidance on personal health and safety issues.
Bluestone’s southern regional managing director Stephen Scard, business development manager Rob Whitham and health and safety adviser Martin Hall, donned their overalls to help with rubbing down walls and painting at the Streetwise Safety Centre in Elliott Road. Centre manager Alison Curtis joined the team to redecorate Streetwise’s hallway in Bluestone’s official blue, white and grey colours. Bluestone has donated more than £5,000 worth of resources to the Streetwise Centre, and also helped to create a mock building site display which aims to highlight to youngsters the potential dangers construction sites can present.
The company also provided a group of visiting pupils from St Joseph’s School, Christchurch, with ‘Work Safe – Home Safe’ packs, which give youngsters tips on keeping safe both at home and out and about.
“The redecoration went extremely well,” says Bluestone’s Stephen Scard. “It was very enjoyable and everyone worked extremely hard to ensure that visitors to the Streetwise Centre will enjoy colourful surroundings for many years to come.”
24 th January, 2005
DORSET CRIMEBEAT CHALLENGE IS SUCCESSFUL ONCE AGAIN
This year’s Crimebeat Challenge – held on Monday, 24 th January, 2005, at the award winning ‘Streetwise’ interactive safety centre – proved very successful.
The High Sheriff of Dorset, Mr Allan Simmons, hosted the event with event sponsors Liverpool Victoria also present. Six groups of five young people from local schools took part in a mini Crimebeat Challenge.
They were asked as a team to develop solutions at five scenarios using five fictional amounts of money.
The schools involved included last year’s winners – Allenbourn Middle School – also Poole’s Longfleet Combined School (2003 winners), West Moors Middle School, Oakdale South Road Middle School, Bearwood Primary School and St Marks Primary School.
The winning team were from Bearwood Primary School who were tasked to find a solution to problems encountered on beaches – encouraging members of the local community to take responsibility for their own beaches.
All schools received £50 for taking part in the scheme and the children also received goody bags to take home as well as meeting and working with their Community Beat Police Officer.
Alison Curtis, Streetwise Centre Manager, said: "Bearwood Primary School chose the lowest amount of fictitious cash to spend on solving the problems on their scenario. Consequently the ideas they came up with were innovative and focussed on involving and motivating members of the local community to take positive action and responsibility for their own beaches.”
“It was proposed by the Bearwood group that Cubs and Brownie groups would be invited to come along on a beach clean to contribute to a badge. In addition a local metal detector group were encouraged to help locate dangerous metal items and a poster competition amongst local schools would raise awareness.”
2005 winners Bearwood Primary School have been invited to undertake a Crimebeat project in their school with their £200 award and report back at next year's Crimebeat Challenge event.
At this year's event last year's winners Allenbourn Middle School made a presentation about how their whole school was consulted on ways to use their £200 winners award. They made improvements to the lighting in the changing areas and it has helped everyone to make better and safer use of the area.
“They all learned that taking responsibility and solving problems isn't just about funding - the willingness to do something is the key factor and has value beyond money. The annual Crimebeat Challenge is now well and truly established," added Ms Curtis.
The national Crimebeat initiative has been developed by the offices of the High Sheriff and police forces across the country to encourage, empower and enable young people to make a contribution in making their communities a safer and even better place to live.
Dorset's scheme is now operated by the Police Partnership Team and provides real and tangible opportunities for young people in the county to engage in community safety activity. Team manager Roy Barrow said: "Through Dorset Crimebeat, the Police Partnership Team is able to fund young people's ideas for an even safer future."
19th January 2005
BOURNEMOUTH POLICE OFFICERS GET STREETWISE FOR INNOVATIVE TRAINING DAY
Police officers from Bournemouth will experience a training session with a difference when they attend a day of specially designed role-playing scenarios at the Streetwise Safety Centre on Wednesday 19 th January.
The event – which involves members of the public playing the part of the victims and offenders of different crimes – aims to take officers out of the classroom and teach them the best ways to handle tricky situations in a realistic environment.
Chief Inspector Dave Thorp, Bournemouth support manager, explains: “All of our officers take part in a weekly training schedule, where they are given the opportunity to refine their policing skills and learn about new legislation, policies and police powers.
“These sessions are very useful, however it can sometimes be hard to relate what is being taught to their jobs on the street. By using the Streetwise centre, we have a purpose-built location where a number of carefully planned and convincing scenarios can be enacted by real people,” he adds.
The centre contains a range of life-sized scenes including a high street, a two-storey house and a building site, allowing officers to practice the skills needed for a variety of crimes from burglary and robbery to fraud and violent assault.
The training sessions will see five groups of police officers rotating through each of the role-plays, with the sessions continuing every week for two months so that all officers in Bournemouth will have attended the event.
Alison Curtis, manager at Streetwise, says: “Every day, visitors to the centre, usually groups of primary school children, learn about accident prevention and good citizenship. Occasionally local police officers kindly volunteer their time to help with the delivery of these important messages, so it will be interesting to see the roles reversed and the officers in the hot seat for a change!”
1st Dec 2004
StreetwisE FULLY BOOKED…
volunteers OPEN DAY ANNOUNCED!
Earlier this year, Dorset Fire Authority pledged to provide over £20,000 to fund the cost for schools in Dorset wishing to visit Bournemouth’s interactive safety education centre, Streetwise. The response was overwhelming: the centre is now fully booked up till the end of the summer term 2005 and the existing dedicated volunteer force is unable to keep up with demand.
The Streetwise Interactive Safety Centre, now 6 years old, is going from strength to strength with over 65,000 visitors to date. However, Streetwise relies on its volunteer Guides to take visitors through the Safety Tours, usually in groups of five or six, and the rising visitor numbers has prompted an urgent need for more Guides.
To enable more people to learn about what volunteering at Streetwise involves, the centre has organised an open day on Monday 13 th December 2004. Potential volunteers can come along and see if they would enjoy giving a few hours a month to help children learn how to cope with the hazards of everyday life. Open sessions will last about an hour and are being held at 10.30 am, 230 and 6.00 pm, and include coffee.
For a 'no obligation' chat about volunteering at Streetwise ring Pete or Helen on 01202 591330. You can then:
- Call in to the centre at a time to suit you,
- Come along on our special open day on Friday 13 th December 2004 or
Click on Volunteer page on the Streetwise website www.streetwise.org.uk
30th November 2004
10,000 Children to Visit Streetwise - Paid for by Dorset Fire Authority
Comment by Martin Chapman, Chief Fire Officer, Dorset Fire & Rescue Service:
“The Fire Authority will be paying the entrance fee for almost 10,000 children to
visit the Streetwise Safety Centre as part of a school visit during the
academic year commencing September 2005.
Originally, we had been looking at this initiative with funding received
through Council Tax on second homes, but we shelved the idea due to
financial constraints on an already significant overall increase in this
year's budget. This window of opportunity became available again as a
result of the Government announcement that it would be funding the second
verification audit, which meant that the £19K earmarked from the budget is
no longer required for this purpose.
I, along with the other Trustee Directors of Streetwise, would like to see
all children visit the Centre at least twice during their school years. The
initiative is aimed at children in school years 2 and 5 and I had written
to the head teachers of all first, middle and primary schools in the Dorset area
inviting them to take up this offer. The response was fantastic - in
less than one week 93 schools responded and Streetwise has now
received a commitment of almost 2,500 more children to attend than
attended during the previous school year.
The Streetwise Safety Centre offers children learning in life skills
through its 11 life-size scenarios under controlled conditions. I see this
as a long-term plan of educating our communities on a wide range of safety
issues, including fire safety, with the aim of seeing a steady decline in
the number of incidents attended by the emergency services.”
30th November 2004
TONY IS BACK HELPING AT STREETWISE THANKS TO PLATFORM LIFTS FROM DOLPHIN
When Tony Parker, could no longer manage the stairs at Streetwise and had to give up his voluntary job, he was heartbroken. The interactive safety education centre had proved a lifeline for the ex-fireman since he was severely injured at work. Now, following the installation of two Minivator 9000 wheelchair platform lifts, Tony is back at the Centre doing what he most enjoys.
Forming part of a £35,000 upgrade of the centre’s disabled facilities, one platform lift has been installed between the main corridor and the upstairs offices, whilst the second has been installed from ground to the first floor of the two-storey house. The lifts have enabled Tony to resume his work in the Streetwise offices and gain access in his wheelchair to the upper storeys of the house when he needs to carry out an inspection.
“Tony is one of our most dependable volunteers”, said Alison Curtis, Streetwise Centre Manager. “Everyone was really upset when he could no longer manage the stairs and had to give up coming to the Centre. We are delighted that he has now been able to return thanks to both Dolphin Stairlifts which have been really supportive by installing the lifts at a knockdown price and national construction company Bluestone”.
The Minivator wheelchair Platform Lifts can be used both indoors and outdoors and are ideal solution for domestic and public environments. They are available as an open lift or have the option to be fully enclosed. Specially designed to be safe, easy to use and dependable they therefore supply independent access for wheelchair users as recommended by the Disabilities Discrimination Act 1995.
“Streetwise has been a very important part of my life since my accident and I was devastated when I could no longer get up the stairs, said Tony Parker. “Now, with the platform lifts installed it means I can quickly and easily gain access to the offices in my wheelchair at just the touch of a button”.
Streetwise is a multi-agency partnership initiative between the emergency services, local authorities and the business community. It is a life size village built inside a warehouse off Ringwood Road, West Howe in Bournemouth to raise awareness of everyday safety and good citizenship issues. Safety at home, in the town, in the countryside and even on the beach is covered. The Streetwise village includes a full sized two-storey house, a high street, park, farmyard, railway track electricity sub station, a heath, beach and building site.
Providing the largest coverage of any stair lift supplier in the UK and Ireland, Dolphin Stairlifts has 31 branches throughout the UK, Ireland and Spain. Through its close association with many of the world’s top commercial and residential access equipment manufacturers it has developed a range of outstanding products. Established in the eighties, as an independent stair lift company, Dolphin Stairlifts offers top quality, value for money products to single users, local authorities, private companies and social services departments.
12th November 2004
Streetwise and Advance Housing
‘COAST’
Transport Event
Wilts & Dorset help special needs students ‘On the Buses’
Wilts & Dorset recently provided one of their new buses and a driver so that adults with learning difficulties could be trained to use buses and travel safely. The free course was arranged by the COAST ‘C itizenship, Opportunities And Safety Training’ project run by the Streetwise Safety Centre and Advance Housing. Over thirty adults received a briefing on how to safely board and alight from a bus as well being helped to identify what makes using transport services difficult for them and find ways to overcome their particular problems .
For the journey, the group was split into four teams who travelled on the bus to: Haskins Garden Centre, Ferndown Library, West Moors Police Station and Sainsburys at Ferndown, where a birthday cake was purchased and later presented to Streetwise to celebrate the centre’s 6 th anniversary.
Several of the group were wheelchair users so the low floor and ramp system used by the new Volvo Bus and the large area for child buggies and wheelchairs was put to good use by Gerry the driver.
Bonnie Bennett, COAST Project Manager from Advance said, “The participants were taught how to make preparations to use bus services, plan to carry out their journey, including where to get off the bus and how they make their return journey.”
“It was a brilliant day which was both informative as well as fun,” said Streetwise manager Alison Curtis, “There was incredible demand for places and we hope with the help of Wilts & Dorset to arrange another course in the near future.”
20th October 2004
‘Safety First’ Story Books from Streetwise
Book Launch and Signing Event
with series author Ruth Thomson
at the Streetwise Safety Centre, 2pm on Tuesday 26 th October
Streetwise, Dorset’s award-winning safety education centre in Bournemouth, is holding a special invitation only story book ‘launch and signing event’ to celebrate its contribution to the ‘Safety First’ series of books. They are now available nationally for primary school age children and are a colourful combination of easy to read fictional stories of everyday events and essential safety facts alongside photographs of real families.
At the ‘invitation only’ event professionals and families who contributed to the content and photographs in the books will gather together for the first time for a photoshoot and the author will give a talk on her experiences in creating the books and personally sign any sold.
Alison Curtis, Streetwise centre manager, was approached by the author to collaborate on the safety input for four books in the series covering ‘On the Road’, ‘On your Bike’, ‘Near Water’ and ‘In the Home’. Alison said ‘I was delighted to be asked by Ruth and was able to build on the excellent partnerships Streetwise has developed over the years. Streetwise, Bournemouth Road Safety, the RNLI and RoSPA all worked hard to ensure that the information in the books is both accurate and essential, and I am truly proud of the contribution we will make towards helping save children’s lives’.
The author, Ruth Thomson has worked in educational publishing for many years, as editor, managing editor and packager, as well as author. She has written more than 300 titles, published by a wide range of well-known publishers and has won several major prizes for her work. Although specialising in literacy, art and history, she has turned her hand to most subjects on the Primary curriculum, including these recent books about safety.
Ruth said ‘I was thrilled to collaborate with Alison Curtis at Streetwise. She ensured the books' accuracy by working with specialist consultants as well as finding the families to photograph which, in all, helped make the books both possible and successful.
The ‘Safety First’ series is now available from Streetwise at the RRP of £12.99. These sales will contribute to the fundraising the centre carries out and help to secure its long term future. Although the launch event and special offer price is by invitation only, the books can now also be ordered from Streetwise at the RRP of £12.99.
Publishers Franklin Watts will be distributing the books direct to schools and they will be available from some major booksellers.
If you would like any more information about the books please contact Alison Curtis at Streetwise on 01202 591330 or email books@streetwise.org.uk
14th June 2004
Tour de France 2004 Firefighter Pedals for Streetwise
Sub Officer Nick Dampney from Red Watch, Christchurch Fire Station, is to race in this year's L'Etape du Tour - the public stage of the Tour de France - to raise money for the Streetwise Safety Centre, Cancer Research UK and the Fire Service Benevolent Fund. Nick was involved in the construction and development of the award winning safety centre in 1998 before it opened to the public.
L'Etape du Tour is the one stage of the Tour de France from Limoges to St. Flour which is open to members of the public from across the world. Of the 200,000 people who applied to enter this stage only 8,500 have been chosen to start. Nick will use the same roads as the professionals who will be racing the following week. The stage is 238km (150 miles) long - equivalent to racing from Dorchester to Birmingham, and covers the Auvergne mountain range, climbing over an extinct volcano 5,500 feet high.
Nick has been in training three times a week since January covering up to 100 miles per session! L'Etape du Tour takes place on Sunday 11th July 2004. Nick says 'I have been interested in cycling for many years and have always been fascinated by the Tour de France. This is a wonderful opportunity to achieve a dream, racing on the same course as the professionals and raise money for some charities which are close to my heart.'
If you would like to support the charities by sponsoring Nick in his endeavour please contact Streetwise in the first instance by phoning (01202) 591330 or emailing info@streetwise.org.uk
10th May 2004
Child Safety week 21-27 June 2004 "Check it - don't Chance it"
South West Home & Leisure Safety Council Seminar
The award winning Streetwise Safety Centre and Kidrapt, national wholesale suppliers of child safety equipment, are supporting the South West Home and Leisure Safety Council's contribution to this year's Child Safety Week theme, 'Check it, don't chance it', with a seminar for agencies and professionals involved in injury prevention.
Child Safety Week is an annual event which is promoted nationally through the Child Accident Prevention Trust and via various agencies involved in Injury Prevention. This year's theme 'Check it, don't chance it', encourages children, parents and carers to check their knowledge, their behaviour and their surroundings, helping them to take practical steps to prevent childhood accidents or substantially reduce their impact.
The half-day seminar on the morning of 24th June at BAWA, Southmead Road, Bristol, in support of the week, will examine a range of child safety equipment issues. The event will feature presentations from a range of professionals with an extensive experience of developing child and home safety initiatives. We are delighted that Dr Liz Towner who is going to be a new professor in the Institute of Child Health in Bristol is speaking along with Dr Mike Hayes - Project Director, Child Accident Prevention Trust. Carol Ainge from Kidrapt will be speaking about the different types of safety equipment including research into their effectiveness.
The seminar costs £40 and each delegate will receive a free copy of the new 'Buy Wise - Be Safe' video and teaching pack. It promises to be a very useful, enjoyable and informative event.
Currently Kidrapt does not supply child safety equipment to the general public, only wholesale to NHS Trusts, local government, grant funded specialised projects, community action groups and charities. However, from summer 2004 Streetwise and Kidrapt will be working in partnership to provide individual parents and families across the country with a range of valuable and potentially life saving child safety equipment through Streetwise - both via the Streetwise website and direct from the safety centre.
To book a place on the Seminar or find out further information about it contact Maggie Sims, Chair SWHLSC on (0117) 3302429 or email avonsafe@sglos-pct.nhs.uk
For more information on Child Safety week visit www.capt.org.uk or ring 020 7608 3828.
For details about Kidrapt visit www.childsafety.co.uk or contact Carol Ainge on (01582) 493382.
4th May 2004
The 2004 Dorset Crimebeat Challenge at Streetwise
The 2004 Crimebeat Challenge - held on Friday, 30th April, 2004, at the award winning 'Streetwise' interactive safety centre - proved very successful.
Hosted by the High Sheriff of Dorset, Mr Allan Simmons, and event sponsors Liverpool Victoria and Custom Security Services, five groups of five young people from the community took part in a mini Crimebeat Challenge.
They were asked as a team to develop solutions at five scenarios using five fictional amounts of money.
The schools involved were from Poole's Longfleet Combined School (last year's winners), West Moors Middle School, Allenbourn Middle School, Abbotswood Junior School and St Marks Primary School.
The overall winning team were from Allenbourn Middle School which were tasked to find a solution to problems encountered in parks - such as dog fouling, daylight robberies and graffiti.
Mr Allan Simmons, Dorset's High Sheriff, presented the winner's cup and a £200 cheque to the school: "All the children displayed a great degree of enthusiasm, working well together to crack their problem-solving tasks. Although all the teams were all winners on the day, Allenbourn Middle School just pipped it.
"Their solutions included - among many - encouraging a group of volunteers to clean up the park, installing soft rubber matting round the slide and providing dog bins and scooping devices," explained Mr Simmons.
Alison Curtis, Streetwise centre manager, said, "It was a delight to see the children come up with solutions and take away the knowledge that, as individuals, they really can come together and make a difference in their own communities.
"They all learned that taking responsibility and solving problems isn't just about funding - the willingness to do something is the key factor and has value beyond money. The annual Crimebeat Challenge is now well and truly established," added Ms Curtis.
The Dorset Crimebeat initiative has been developed by the offices of the High Sheriff and the Police Partnership Trust to encourage, empower and enable young people to make a contribution in making their communities a safer and even better place to live.
Andy Saunders, manager of the Police Partnership Trust, said: "Crimebeat provides real and tangible opportunities for young people in the county to engage in community safety activity and, through this scheme, the Police Partnership Trust is able to fund their ideas for an even safer future."
Allenbourn Middle School will be putting the money towards a crime or accident prevention issue in their school. In 2005, they will return to report on their school project and enter a team to retain the winner's cup in the Crimebeat Challenge 2005.
4th April 2004
ARE YOU STREETWISE ENOUGH
TO SOLVE A SERIOUS CRIME?
Directors and staff from the Verwood based CCL UK Group PLC became the first team to role play as the police to solve a serious crime at the award-winning Streetwise Safety Centre in Bournemouth. The team was invited to be the first to investigate the crime by manager Alison Curtis as a trial for the Streetwise Crime Scene Investigation which was developed as a corporate staff development and team-building project. It has been created with the help of the Dorset Police Partnership Trust and the Dorset Casualties Union who provide actors for the event. At least seven experienced actors are involved in every Streetwise CSI event.
Extra pressure was on the CCL team as Alison Curtis explained that the time it would take them to solve the crime would become the target for other companies taking on the Streetwise CSI to beat. A trophy will be presented at the end of the year to the team that achieves the fastest successful investigation. CCL, who are sponsors of Streetwise, solved the mystery in 1 hour, 59 minutes. Chairman Will Snelgrove said that the evening was very challenging and enjoyable and of benefit as a team building exercise that developed communication and inter- personal skills.
'All of us who took part agree that others from our company should have a go so we have said nothing about the content of the CSI evening to anyone,' said Will Snelgrove. 'It will be interesting to see if our second team can beat our time. We hope that other businesses and groups will now take up the challenge.'
Alison Curtis said "It was a real delight to be able to offer and observe an event of this type where all the participants were on the same side, working together to solve the crime and I was very impressed with the team work displayed on the evening. The professional input into the event by real police officers, the superbly believable actors and the provision of a whole life sized village for the investigation team to go out and explore all combine to provide an exceptionally believable and unique 'Murder Mystery' corporate entertainment and team building opportunity".
Anyone wishing to do some crime busting can contact Streetwise on 01202 591330 or visit www.streetwise.org.uk
17th March 2004
Oceanarium & Streetwise Conservation Competition Winner Announced
The Oceanarium Bournemouth and Streetwise Safety Centre have announced that 11-year-old Amanda Musselwhite of St Joseph's school in Parkstone is the winner of a competition designed to increase awareness about the environmental impact of litter on Dorset beaches. Amanda's winning slogan, 'The environment wins using bins', will be used in the Streetwise beach safety scenario, appearing on a vibrantly designed dustbin provided by long-term Streetwise sponsors, the Oceanarium.
James Eels, general manager at the Oceanarium commented, "We received many fantastic entries from schools across the county and it was difficult to select just one winner. However, Amanda's slogan really captured the essence of this competition, which is all about conserving our beaches and protecting marine-life from the detrimental impact of litter."
Alison Curtis, Centre Manager, Streetwise added, "This slogan will take pride of place within the Streetwise beach safety scenario and will help to draw the attention of the 12,000 children and adults visiting Streetwise each year to this important issue."
Amanda won a packed Oceanarium goodie bag and a free visit for her whole class to both the Bournemouth marine attraction and the Streetwise Safety Centre. Amanda's year 7 class also met Sir John Butterfill, MP for Bournemouth West who said, "Locally we have some of the most attractive beaches in the UK. Amanda's winning slogan will help to remind us all that it is absolutely vital that we continue to keep them clean and safe for all members of the public to enjoy."
2nd March 2004
Bank employees 'Spring Clean' at Streetwise
Barclays employees from across Dorset are spending Friday morning helping to 'spring-clean' Streetwise - the award winning interactive safety education centre based on the outskirts of Bournemouth.
Streetwise is a life-sized village built inside a warehouse where people of all ages can discover how to keep safe and what to do in an emergency and learn about accident prevention both at home and on the roads.
The centre which also houses a mock 'Barclays' branch, will undergo the 'spring-clean' by 11 bank volunteers who will be swapping their traditional suits and ties - for overalls, buckets, brushes, pinnies and rubber gloves to complete the task. The volunteering is just one many ways in which Barclays and Streetwise have worked in partnership since the centre opened in January 1999.
Alison Curtis, Centre Manager at Streetwise says:- "We are delighted that Barclays is building on its ongoing support at Streetwise in this useful and interactive way".
Elaine Arnold, Community Manager for Barclays PLC said, " At Barclays we are committed to communities and we are delighted to support Streetwise both financially and through employee volunteering. This is a lovely example of Barclays staff working closely with the local community to achieve something which we hope will make a real and lasting difference".
In 2003 Barclays global commitment to the community amounted to £32 million, which includes 1% of UK pre-tax profits. As one of the UK's largest corporate community contributors, the bank aims to achieve real and lasting benefit both for the community and Barclays, by supporting education, social inclusion, people with disabilities, the arts and the environment.
20th November 2003
Streetwise hosts reception for Members to raise awareness
17th November 2003
Oceanarium & Streetwise Launch Beach Conservation Competition
The Oceanarium Bournemouth has partnered with the Streetwise Safety Centre to launch a beach conservation competition for all school children under 12 years of age throughout Dorset. They are being challenged to come up with a short slogan to encourage all beach users to keep Dorset's beaches clean. The winning slogan will be used in the Streetwise beach safety scenario, appearing on a brightly coloured new dustbin provided by long-term Streetwise sponsors, the Oceanarium. The winner will receive a packed goodie bag and a free visit for their whole class to both the Bournemouth marine attraction and the Streetwise Safety Centre.
Slogans will need to be five words or less and the deadline date for entries is 23rd January 2004. Every entry accompanied with an SAE will receive in turn one free child ticket to the Oceanarium and a free child pass for Streetwise (do we need to mention the child must be accompanied by an adult? Presumably the same for you at Oceanarium?).
Oliver Buttling, Marine Biologist at the Oceanarium commented, "Litter has a huge impact on marine life and creatures, often leading to their unnecessary illness and sometimes death. Fishing litter is a real problem with birds and fish becoming entangled in discarded fishing line, nets and rope. Litter also causes many hazards for members of the public from discarded glass bottles shattering in the sand, to the risk of people slipping up on discarded plastic bags. Locally we have some of the most fantastic beaches in the UK and it's vital that we keep them clean and safe by binning our rubbish or taking it with us."
Over 12,000 children and adults will see the winning slogan and learn more about beach conservation issues on their visit to Streetwise throughout 2004.
Alison Curtis, Centre Manager, Streetwise, said, "We're pleased to be partnering with the Oceanarium to highlight these issues. This competition will encourage children County-wide to think seriously about the beach environment, marine life and how responsible behaviour can make a real difference."
Streetwise is a life-sized village built inside a warehouse where people can learn about responsible behaviour and good citizenship. As well as a beach safety scene, the award-winning centre also has a street, railway, building site, park, and home scene. It teaches visitors in a fun and memorable way how to keep safe, how to handle emergencies, accident prevention and fire safety. It is a registered charity and a multi-agency partnership project, and since it opened in January 1999, it has had over 50,000 visitors.
How to enter the competition:
Send the slogan, which should be no more than five words, with your name, age, address and the name of the school you attend to:
Laura Chappell
Oceanarium Bournemouth
Pier Approach
West Beach
Bournemouth
BH2 5AA
Include an SAE to claim your one free child ticket to the Oceanarium and free child pass for Streetwise.
Or alternatively log onto www.oceanarium.co.uk and enter the competition directly through the website (however, to claim your free child ticket for the Oceanarium you will also need to send an SAE). For further information about the competition contact 01202 311 993 ex 25.
22nd October 2003
Streetwise Ride & Drive Event
Supported by Horizon Motor Company, Honda
The annual Streetwise Supporters Thank You 'Ride'n'Drive' event to be held tomorrow at Streetwise, has been generously sponsored once more by local Honda dealers Horizon Motor Company.
The event which runs from 11 - 3.30pm is also supported by Liverpool Victoria and will provide a fun and informal way to say thank you to all the companies, individuals and volunteers who have helped the award winning charity to keep children safe over the years.
By invitation only, supporters will have the chance to test drive some of the stunning Honda cars - including the S2000 sports car, the racy Civic Type R, the hybrid Civic IMA and the inspirational Accord Tourer - and this year PC James Wedge, a Dorset Police Advanced Driving Instructor will be on hand all day for professional advice, both in the cars and out. Refreshments will be available all day thanks to Horizon and Safeway and a free prize draw will allow one lucky person to drive away the S2000 sports car for the weekend!
Graham Avent, Corporate Sales Manager for Honda (UK) will be giving a presentation on 'What's New at Honda' along with Adrian Whiting, Dorset Police Assistant Chief Constable. Adrian Whiting has served as a Traffic Police Motorcyclist and Traffic Police Inspector in the Metropolitan Police and his responsibilities within Dorset Police now include all police operations, crime investigation and road policing. He also has a national police role in Firearms and Explosive Licensing.
Horizon have supported Streetwise over the last three years, initially with a Honda Civic for use by the Streetwise Team in the community and then with a car which was permanently donated for inclusion in the centre's 'street scene'. This is now the focal point of the in-car safety scenario which focuses on seatbelt use and responsible behavior.
Fiona Harwood, Corporate Sales Manager at Horizon said 'It has been a pleasure to assist Streetwise. We are delighted to have been able to help them thank all their supporters and we look forward to our continuing association with them'.
31st August 2003
999 Family Fun Day at Streetwise
Sunday 20th July 2003
The annual 999 Family Fun Day at Streetwise united many Bournemouth Partnership members as the award winning children's safety education charity teamed up with Bournemouth Council and all the county's emergency services, the RNLI and St John Ambulance for an action packed day.
The day, which was sponsored by Liverpool Victoria and supported by Dorset's 2CRFM, provided a fun way for all the family to learn about looking after themselves and each other.
The day included:
- free hands-on, interactive safety scenarios
- a chance to talk to the real-life emergency services
- an exploding chip pan fire demonstration
- the home safety computer game competition (see www.homesafetygame.com)
- Bournemouth council Environmental Health department's 'Hand Washing Game' - special soap and UV light helped children 'beat the bug' !
- Dorset Police chief constable and divisional area commanders met with visitors
Streetwise centre manager, Alison Curtis, says: "Families attending the event had an memorable day - but more importantly gained a real chance to reinforce simple everyday safety messages throughout family life, referring back to the experiences and information gathered together on the day with genuine enthusiasm - and very little nagging! "
11th June 2003
Powersave donates its skills to Streetwise
Leading regional mechanical engineering company, Powersave Ltd, has come to the aid of Streetwise, the region's award winning interactive safety education centre, by donating the services of its engineers to install air conditioning equipment in a new volunteer's rest room at the Centre. In addition, Powersave has also repaired the Centre's door entry and telephone keypad system, at cost, ensuring that this necessary safety feature is in working order to safeguard staff and visitors.
With the number of volunteers at the Centre having increased to 80, and with 12 volunteers being on site at any one time in addition to regular employees, Streetwise had become very tight for space within the staff rest area. By relocating the Centre's leaflet store, located directly opposite the staff room and carrying out minor building work and refurbishment, Streewise was able to turn the store into a volunteer's rest room.
However, as the room had no outside window, it required ventilating equipment to be installed to meet health & safety regulations. Having persuaded a manufacturer to donate the equipment Streetwise approached Powersave for support in carrying out the installation of the equipment free of charge. This involved installing the equipment as well as all necessary ductwork, fan and grills.
Based in Wallisdown on the border of Poole and Bournemouth, Streetwise is a life-sized village built inside a warehouse where people of all ages can discover how to keep safe and what to do in an emergency. They can also learn about accident prevention both at home and on the roads, fire safety, responsible behaviour and good citizenship. The Charity works in close partnership with like-minded agencies, businesses and organisations to deliver the preventative education that will help to reduce both the tragic heartache of lives lost or ruined and the financial cost of avoidable accidents to the services involved in dealing the aftermath.
"We were delighted to help such a valuable charity", says John Rand, Director at Powersave Ltd. "It is important that businesses are seen to be socially responsible by investing in the community through worthwhile charities such as Streetwise."
Established 14 years ago, Powersave Ltd is renowned for its experience and knowledge in a wide range of mechanical engineering arenas. Since 1987 the company, now based at the Woolsbridge Industrial Park, Wimborne, has evolved in size and stature acquiring air conditioning, refrigeration, electrical, swimming pools and water treatment as part of its portfolio of services to offer customers.
15th May 2003
Electronic Organ Concert Fundraiser - Year Two!
Streetwise is to repeat last year's successful Electronic Organ Concert on the evening of May 22nd at the Connaught Hotel on Bournemouth's West Cliff. Local organist Colin Ford will again entertain an audience of 200 including James Boughey, former High Sheriff of Dorset and the Mayor of Bournemouth Councillor David Baldwin, on a Roland Atelier Organ. Last year's concert raised over £850 for Streetwise and it is hoped to exceed that this year.
Alison Curtis, Streetwise manager, says "Particular thanks are due to Colin Ford, the Connaught Hotel and Swift Music all of whom are giving their services without fee for the event for the second year running. Thanks also to Tony Sheldrake, our publicity volunteer, for organising these concerts. This kind of tremendous support will help to ensure that the safety centre is here for many years, helping our children to learn about keeping safe by making responsible choices."
Doors and bar open 6.45 for a 7.30 start. Tickets, priced at £5.00 are available from Streetwise on (01202) 591330 or email concert@streetwise.org.uk , at all local Organ clubs and at the door on the night.
14th May 2003
St John Ambulance Schools Competition
Schools from Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire who have been taught the St. John Ambulance Young Lifesaver Award Scheme are being given the chance to demonstrate their knowledge of First Aid skills and improve their confidence by taking part in the annual St. John Ambulance National Schools Competition.
This year St. John Ambulance Dorset is holding the Regional Round at Bournemouth's Streetwise Safety Centre, on Monday 2nd June, from 11.30am until 3.30 pm. The winners will take part in the prestigious National Final at London Zoo in July.
Senior and junior teams of four will be tested on several scenarios of simulated accidents or casualty incidents. Their efforts will be judged and awarded marks and the winner of each section will represent their county in the Grand Final.
First Aid is an important subject in its own right. Knowing how to open an airway and put a casualty in the Recovery Position can save thousands of lives. Many casualties die unnecessarily because their airway becomes blocked. Their injuries may not be serious, but they are unable to breathe. If everyone learns the simple procedures that the Young Lifesaver Award Scheme offers, more lives can be saved. The resources include a video that should be used in conjunction with the comprehensive and easy to follow teachers' guides, which are complete with suggested lesson plans, work sheets and test sheets.
For further information about the Young Lifesaver Award Scheme contact The Schools Liaison Officer, St. John Ambulance Dorset Tel 01305 751169.
12th May 2003
Car Crash Line provide a car for Streetwise!
This national company has provided Streetwise with a Renault Scenic for use as a community vehicle. Car Crash Line supplies 'non fault accident management'
services for people eg a temporary replacement vehicle for people who have
been involved in an accident that wasn't their fault.
The company has also provided Dorset Police with some very special teddy bears to ride with the traffic officers for adoption by children in obvious distress and in need of comfort as a result of road traffic collisions. The Bravo Bear scheme was launched at Streetwise in spring 2000. Since its launch in 1997 the company, which is a family business based in Verwood, has undergone significant growth with depots now right across the country. Director Joanna Snelgrove says 'It is a pleasure to support such a worthwhile cause'."
Alison Curtis, Streetwise manager says: 'Following the success of the Bravo Bear scheme, we are really delighted to be working with Car Crash Line once more. This latest support, the long-term provision of a community vehicle, will help reduce the
running expenses for the charity and allow existing funds to be used for the development of new Streetwise scenarios to help to keep our children safe."
1st May 2003
Xchanging ideas at Streetwise
The saying, "It's not what you know, but who you know" is gaining new importance in today's workplace. As such the re-emergence of networking is gaining pace, with many new networking opportunities opening up around the region.
The Streetwise Safety Centre hosted the recent "BusinessXchange" meeting - the Business Link Wessex networking concept which focuses on exchanging ideas, giving advice and making new contacts.
The Dorset Network Broker, Laura McHarrie says, "The success of the BusinessXchange as a networking group comes from its philosophy. Members share issues openly and contribute towards each other's development with honesty and humility' She adds 'our focus is on mutual support which can be anything from problem solving to inter-trading to facilitating joint ventures".
Alison Curtis, manager of Streetwise, hosted the meeting which included a tour of the centre, her top tips on getting your name known using public relations, plus the regular 'virtual board' for one of the members - a problem solving opportunity with input by everyone. Alison said' "I particularly enjoy the BusinessXchange meetings because they combine good old fashioned networking opportunities with a flexible agenda providing a 'no blame' arena for discussion of specific challenges members may be facing: very useful."
The BusinessXchange meetings do not have a strict format. At this meeting, for example, David Blackwell of Kilminster Financial Services took the opportunity to unpack his business laying out two or three issues that are affecting his organisation right now. 'The 'virtual board' session gave me an opportunity to discuss marketing issues with the very people I am trying to target. The feedback was very productive, and I will be using some of the suggestions offered' he said.
Laura McHarrie, Dorset Networks Broker, can be contacted for information about the three Dorset BusinessXchange networks on (01305) 833292.
30th April 2003
No Worries for Streetwise Volunteers!
Thanks to an approach by Streetwise volunteer Alec Smith and ex-Mastercare employee, Currys has donated £1,000 to Streetwise to help towards the cost of providing much needed facilities for the growing band of Streetwise volunteers as the success of the safety centre has led to both an increase in numbers and the need for more volunteers.
Streetwise is a life-sized village built inside a warehouse where children can learn how to keep themselves and each other safe and prevent accidents by confidently spotting the potential for danger in their everyday world. Volunteers help to teach them safety at home, on the roads and at play along with fire and electrical safety in a Safety Tour focussing on responsible behaviour.
Glen Carter, deputy store manager of Currys, Wessex Gate Retail Park, Poole, said, "We are delighted to present this cheque to Streetwise, which is an extremely worthwhile cause." Alison Curtis, Streetwise manager, said "Our volunteers are the life-blood of the centre and we are really pleased that Currys has chosen to support our work in this way. We would like to say a big thank you to everyone at Currys, Poole for their generosity."
Currys is the UK's largest electrical retailer with more than 350 stores nationwide. As a company, Currys recognises responsibilities beyond its stores and into the wider community, and is committed to giving something back to the society in which its customers and employees live. It is part of the Dixons Group plc which also includes Dixons, PC World and The Link. The Group's giving is funded centrally by the Dixons Foundation, which is a registered charity. Each year the Foundation receives hundreds of requests for donations, but concentrates its support on charities concerned with education and training, crime prevention and enhancing the quality of life. The Foundation tries to help where it can see an opportunity to make a difference or where its employees have a direct involvement. To find out more about Dixons in the community please visit: www.dixons-group-plc.co.uk/ community & environment.
21st March 2003
Children invited to 'Solve the Crime' as
Dorset Crimebeat Scheme launches at Streetwise
Next Thursday (27 March) will see the launch of the Dorset Crimebeat Scheme in the region's award winning interactive safety centre 'Streetwise' between 12noon and 2pm. It will be hosted by the High Sheriff of Dorset, Mr James Boughy and a host of dignitaries including the chairman of National Crimebeat, Mr. Douglas Robertson, CBE DL and the chairman of the Dorset Police Authority, Mr. Mike Taylor, as well as young people from the community who will take part in a mini Crimebeat Challenge on the day.
The Dorset Crimebeat initiative has been developed by the offices of the High Sheriff and the Police Partnership Trust to encourage, empower and enable young people to make a contribution in making their communities a safer and even better place to live. Crimebeat provides grants and support, helping to turn ideas into action.
Business Partnership and Development Officer for the Police Partnership Trust, Andy Saunders, explained: "Crimebeat provides real and tangible opportunities for young people in the county to engage in community safety activity and, through this scheme, the Police Partnership Trust is able to fund their ideas for an even safer future."
The innovative launch-day Crimebeat Challenge is a scaled-down version of the real thing. Three groups of five young people will take part in a mini-challenge next Thursday and, as a team, develop solutions at three prepared scenarios: The alleyway; with a high level of graffiti and rubbish plus a high fear of crime factor. What will the group do with the budget they have chosen? The heathland; a car has been abandoned on the heath, there is some damage to property, the heath and the car - how will the group try and reduce this type of crime? The high street; A car has been left but there are numerous things wrong with it - how many of these unsafe features will the group find and how will they spend the money in making things right?
The groups will be given these challenges with a little help from set budgets selected from three sealed envelopes which will contain £5,000, £500, and 'no money at all' so the grey cells will really have to be used!
Guests at the Launch will be invited to watch the young people problem solve - and as an additional bonus, the group is allowed to ask the audience around the scenario, one question or ask for one idea. Tour guides from Streetwise will oversee each scenario and make sure that only one "ask the audience" is used.
At the end of the challenge the spokesperson will be asked to present their solution to a panel who will award points out of 10 for each of the categories; innovation, practicality, budget and impact and then the winners will receive their prize and the Crimebeat Challenge Cup. Andy added: "There are no losers with the Crimebeat Challenge - all those taking part will receive a certificate and have a great day out. The winners can receive prizes such as the Cup - to be held by the winning school for 12 months, and cash prizes of up to £200 for the young people to spend on a safety or security project in their school.
"The real winners will be the young people, raising the profile of the contribution that they can make to their community, developing citizenship skills and gaining a greater understanding of how they can make a difference."
"Schools play a key role in the development of young people, and it is through the schools, in partnership with Streetwise, that young people can put their problem solving skills to the test, outline their ideas for projects, and raise the positive profile of young people, who can win cash prizes for their school to put towards improving the school environment."
The Liverpool Victoria Crimebeat Challenge is open to age ranges 8 to 14 from any school in Dorset. The school can put forward a team of five people who can take up the challenge of developing ideas to solve the problems they come across when taking part, and every year the challenges will change.
20th March 2003
Liverpool Victoria launches the first interactive safety education website
www.homesafetygame.com
· Every year in the UK 4,000 people die as a result of an accident in their home or garden and an estimated 2.8 million are injured, including over one million children [i] .
· The cost to the National Health Service of treating home accident injuries is estimated at £450 million per year2.
Developed and funded by Liverpool Victoria, the UK's largest friendly society3, www.homesafetygame.com, which launches today, is the first interactive online educational tool to teach children about safety. The game has been created in partnership with the award winning charity Streetwise and is endorsed by RoSPA (the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) and supported by a grant from the DTI.
The new interactive online 'Home Safety' game is based around the 'Liverpool Victoria House' in the award winning Streetwise indoor safety village in Bournemouth. The game challenges children to make their way around the house and identify the potential dangers in each room. Working against the clock, their target is to find 29 dangers in all.
The game, whilst designed to be fun, is based around the national curriculum and is suitable for children up to Year 4 at Key Stages One and Two. Comprehensive teachers' packs can be downloaded from the website.
Liverpool Victoria's Kate Coney said: "We have been involved in Streetwise since its beginning in 1996. The success it has achieved is illustrated by the fact that 10,000 children visit the educational indoor safety village every year. The launch of the online educational home safety game is an extension of the village and enables children to learn about home safety at school and at home in a fun and interactive, yet informative and memorable way.
"Liverpool Victoria is pleased to be part of this valuable initiative and we hope the new game will go some small way towards helping to reduce the number of children killed or injured in accidents in the home."
20th March 2003
CragRats 'Training the Trainer' at Streetwise
Streetwise is today the venue for an innovative training experience for Health & Safety Officers and those that provide health and safety training for outdoor workers.
Crag Rats, winners of a National Training Award for Health & Safety in the Construction Industry have been commissioned by HealthWorks, Dorset's Health Promotion Agency, to provide a combination of theatre and workshops to 'train the trainer'.
The day's event will explore issues around non-compliance with health and safety advice covering the key messages of prevention of back injury and skin cancer - in particular barriers to training being put in place - and perceptions about the training and solutions.
HealthWorks has commissioned the theatre company to provide this day to 'train the trainers' as part of their Health at Work Partnership project.
13th February 2003
The Launch of Bournemouth COAST
Partners of Bournemouth COAST - Citizenship, Opportunities And Safety Training - are delighted to announce their forthcoming launch as a provider of training services for adults with learning difficulties who live in Bournemouth. Partners comprise Streetwise Safety Centre, Advance and Bournemouth Council for Voluntary Service and the official launch will take place at a "Learning Disabilities Social Inclusion and Housing Conference" at Bournemouth's Norfolk Royale Hotel in May 2003.
The conference has attracted a keynote speaker who is renowned in the field of health and Risk Management - Professor Andy Alaszewski - Director of the Centre for Health Service Studies and Professor of Health Studies at the University of Kent and author of the publication 'Empowerment and Protection' (Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, 1999).
More than 70 professionals from national organisations, top level services in Bournemouth and individuals with real experience on the front line will be invited to the conference - including Housing professionals (Housing Forum, small landlords, housing associations etc); Statutory Authorities; Health professionals; Safety professionals; Community organisations and Education.
Bournemouth COAST aims to promote and maintain independent living and social inclusion. It will offer a unique service over a three-year programme tailored specifically to meet the needs of people who have learning difficulties. The aim is to ensure that all people can make use of the service including those who live in supported housing, as well as those who receive little or no professional support. These might include young people leaving school, adults who live with parents, or those wishing to move on safely to more independent living.
Topics will be confirmed after the launch conference but are likely to include: Dealing with Bullying/Abuse; Personal Safety; Fire & Electrical Safety; Citizenship & the Environment; Managing Money; Basic DIY Safety. COAST is developing a focus group of people with learning difficulties to ensure that their needs and wishes are taken into consideration. They will be involved in training development and positively involved in the evaluation including collecting data.
Following the project launch in May 2003, training services will be delivered from October 2003 with evaluation throughout by Bournemouth University and a dissemination conference in 2006.
For further information about the project, joining the focus group or receiving details of forthcoming training please see www.coast-uk.org leave your contact details with Bonnie Bennett at Advance on 07714 799920 or Alison Curtis at Streetwise on 01202 591330.
19th December 2002
Haskins' Santas Get Streetwise!
Two Santas recently escaped from the Haskins Garden Centre and, along with children from Turlin Moor Middle School, paid a flying visit to the Haskins Shop at the Streetwise Safety Centre and met up with Denise Rothwell, Haskins General Manager, to officially approve the stunning Christmas window display in the centre!
The display is just a taster of all the magic of Christmas to be had at the popular Haskins store in Longham where 'gifts galore and decorations to dazzle' can be found. There, Santa's little helpers have taken over the entire furniture area and transformed it into a walk-thru Winter Wonderland. And being closed only on Christmas Day and Boxing Day means that an enchanting visit to the Longham centre is a must for boys and girls of all ages this Christmas.
Haskins Garden Centres, established in the area since 1882, became a major sponsor of the children's safety charity Streetwise this year with £6,000 sponsorship of the Streetwise Haskins shop - which changes with the seasons. They also lent their name to a new road sign in the centre - 'Haskins Gardens' of course, and purchased exclusive diamond-shaped 'gold' Streetwise pin badges for fundraising and awareness purposes (available from the New Year). In addition, both last year and this year, Haskins awarded gift vouchers to the top three volunteers at the centre in appreciation of the invaluable hours they contributed.
Alison Curtis, Streetwise centre manager said: "Haskins' financial support for the centre is truly wonderful as it makes a major contribution to much needed core funding. This helps ensure that the admission charge can be kept as low as possible for the many children and families who will live safer and more responsible lives as a result of their visit to Streetwise."
3rd September 2002
FREE 999 Family Fun Day at Streetwise
11 - 4pm on Sunday 15th September 2002
A FREE 999 Family Fun Day is to be held at Streetwise as the award winning children's safety education centre teams up with the drug prevention charity Life Education Centres Dorset, all the county's emergency services, the RNLI and St John Ambulance for an action packed day.
The day will provide a fun way for all the family to learn about looking after themselves and each other with free hands-on, interactive safety scenarios, drug prevention and life education information and a chance to talk to the real-life emergency services: watch and learn from an exploding chip pan fire demonstration, visit the high tech mobile drugs prevention classroom or escape from a smoke filled house ... and enjoy more traditional family entertainment attractions such as the Gugge 2000 carnival band, bouncy castle, party playbus, children's clown and fun train.
Streetwise centre manager, Alison Curtis, says: "Recent events cannot fail to stir the deepest fears of every parent. Families attending the event will not only have an enjoyable free day, they will also have a genuine opening to repeat and reinforce these messages periodically throughout family life, enthusiastically referring back to the information gathered together on the day. "
The Liverpool Victoria and Key Industrial sponsored event takes place from 11 - 4pm on Sunday 15th September at the Streetwise Safety Centre, Elliott Road, West Howe with free park and ride facilities thanks to Academy Coaches.
More details about the day, including park and ride information, can be found on the Streetwise website www.streetwise.org.uk or by telephoning the centre on (01202) 591330.
22nd May 2002
Streetwise goes West for Child Safety Week 2002
Ever conscious of the difficulties schools and groups in the west of the county face in organising a visit to the interactive safety centre in Bournemouth, for the second year running Streetwise has chosen to contribute to the Child Accident Prevention Trust's annual Child Safety Week by taking part in the Bridport Child Accident Prevention Group two-day event on 18th and 19th June.
Children aged 10 -11 years from local schools will visit a range of scenarios and activities at the event, which is set in the Bridport Community Hospital, and talk to agencies and organisations taking part including Streetwise, fire, police and coastguard, seatbelt use, road safety, home safety and drugs education etc
On the Streetwise stand children will be able to enter safety quizzes, collect resources and become some of the first children to play the pilot of the absorbing new Streetwise Liverpool Victoria Home Safety Computer game. In the same way that the children spot the dangers in the real Streetwise Safety Centre, the aim of this game is to walk a character through six rooms in a computer generated house and identify one danger in every room in the shortest time possible. The quickest time wins - but random programming changes the dangers for each game! The safety centre was recently awarded a grant of nearly £15,000 by the Department of Trade and Industry to further develop the game with RoSPA and disseminate it across the country.
The key message for CAPT's 10th annual safety week is 'Accidents don't have to happen. Prevention is better than cure' - and the interactive education which is at the heart of the Streetwise experience is a perfect fit. Many of the schools from the west of the county have already made Streetwise a key part of their safety education curriculum but Child Safety Week is the perfect opportunity for Streetwise to reach out to those yet to make the trip. For more information about Streetwise telephone (01202) 591330 or visit www.streetwise.org.uk
25th March 2002
Keyboard Concert Fundraiser
On the evening of 2nd April 2002, the Ballroom of the Connaught Hotel on Bournemouth's West Cliff will be ringing to the sounds of classics, country and western and chart music as local organist Colin Ford plays a Yamaha AR 100 organ at a concert in aid of the Streetwise Safety Centre.
Amongst the VIP's listening to the deluxe double keyboard classics will be the Mayor and Mayoress of Bournemouth, Councillor Douglas and Mrs Eyre, and Dorset's Chief Constable Mrs Jane Stichbury.
The occasion will also used to promote awareness of Blood Donation on behalf of the National Blood Service. With an extensive raffle and a bar available it is hoped that, together with ticket sales, a substantial amount will be raised for the charity.
Doors open 6.45 for a 7.30 start. Tickets priced at £5.50 are available on the night. If possible, please contact Streetwise on (01202) 591330 or email concert@streetwise.org.uk to register your place.
Particular thanks are due to Colin Ford, the Connaught Hotel and Swift Music all of whom are giving their services without fee for the event.
