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DORSET’S ‘human fish’ – Oly Rush – has crowned a remarkable year by being listed in the latest edition of the Guinness World Records.
The plasterer and endurance swimmer, from Upton near Poole, has made the pages of the 2024 book of world records after completing a 60-mile circumnavigation of Grand Cayman. To complete the feat, the 39-year-old spent an arm-aching 37 hours non-stop powering round the Caribbean island, becoming the first person ever to achieve the feat in a bid to raise awareness of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans. It came after a number of notable achievements in recent years, including the fastest swim around the Isle of Wight and becoming the first person to swim around the Greek Island of Ithaca. Vegan Oly also raises money for environmental charities during his endurance swims and has his sights set on further firsts. “It’s lovely to be recognised by the Guinness book of records but what’s more important is to do my bit to clean up the oceans,” he said. I also go into schools and give talks and the children really seem to take what I’m saying on board. I think we have a great generation coming through who really care about reducing pollution. “Next year I aim to do another swim which I’m still finalising, but which will test me more than any of the others.” Guinness World Records 2024 details how Oly swam around the 59.3-mile distance in 36hrs 59mins and includes a picture of an emotional Oly at the end of his world record feat.
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The words of those feeling the effects of climate change rang out in Wimborne during an environmental demonstration.
Members of the Wimborne branch of Extinction Rebellion marked the COP28 gathering in Dubai – the annual United Nations conference tasked with addressing climate change – by voicing the experiences of those already impacted. They stood on the River Allen pedestrian bridge and spoke to passers-by for three mornings. “We spoke to hundreds of residents and the overwhelming majority were concerned about climate change,” said campaigner Rosemary Lunt. “We want to raise awareness that many countries in the Global South are already suffering climate catastrophes including drought and food insecurity, floods, heatwaves and wildfires.” The Global South refers to various countries around the world, sometimes described as developing, less developed or underdeveloped. These countries have contributed the least to climate change but are suffering the worst impacts. Around 10 members of Extinction Rebellion Wimborne read the words of climate activists from India, Kenya, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands and Uganda. Cllr Maria Roe was presented with a handmade climate stripe bookmark which indicates the rate of global warming from 1962 to 2022 (as recorded at the Met Office site at Hurn). Presenting the award was Rosemary Lunt, co-founder of a new Wimborne based environmental group, Makers and Shakers, who created the bookmark and presented it to Cllr Roe in recognition of her great work in raising the profile of the environmental crisis across Dorset.
Colourful posters spreading an environmental message were created by youngsters as part of a competition in Wimborne.
Schoolchildren were encouraged to create pieces about the environmental crisis as part of the contest, run as part of the Plant Wimborne Green Festival. And their creativity and concern for the environment was demonstrated through a raft of colourful, engaging entries. The chosen topic was trees, and there were 206 entries from seven schools: five First Schools (Colehill, Hayeswood, Merley, St John’s and Witchampton) and two Middle Schools (Allenbourn and St Michael’s). “No easy task then for competition organiser and town councillor Jeff Hart, a director of Planet Wimborne, together with Planet Wimborne’s Neil Smith, to choose the winning pictures from this array of artistic talent,” a spokesperson said. Nine competition winners, together with parents and teachers, enjoyed a celebration hosted by Wimborne Library. Linda Bunting, chair of Planet Wimborne, presented each child with a trophy and prize, and each participating school received a certificate. Eco Sobo
A series of monthly, sustainability-themed, free-to-attend workshops in Southbourne begins this Thursday. A workshop entitled ‘All the Rs’ this Thursday kicks off a series of events aimed at helping people to live more sustainably. The workshop, which will be hosted on 28 September, 7-9pm at The Larder House in Southbourne will provide practical tips on reducing waste, reusing and repurposing items, refusing packaging, and recycling. Four guest speakers – Rosie Edwards, founder of Eco Sobo and Sobo Wastebusters; James Fowler of The Larder House and Terroir Tapas; Alison Vallier, waste management officer at BCP Council; and Connor Winter from Circular 11 – will share their knowledge and expertise on the ‘Rs’. The event will be the first in a series of similar free events, thanks to government funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Also helping to organise the events are Lizzie McManus, founder of Warrior Agency, and Mandy Polkey, founder of Stir Events CIC – the organisers of Shake & Stir Festival. Lizzie said: “We want to open up conversations about single-use plastic, overbuying, food waste, and all the practicalities of reducing waste in your life at home or at work. And this open-to-all event aims to do just that in a helpful, interesting, and engaging way.” Colourful Extinction Rebellion campaigners joined arts fans in Wimborne at the weekend – but for a different reason.
As hundreds enjoyed performances as part of the Inside Out Dorset event in the town on Saturday (September 16), the XR Wimborne group staged a protest against fossil fuels. But they got into the spirit of things, performing themselves during their demonstration, receiving a ‘warm reception’ from townsfolk. Our message was simple, there’s still time to avoid the worst of climate chaos,” added retired ship’s captain, Peter Aldous. The campaigners were joining the Global Fight Fossil Fuels action. “The placards and leaflets we used in Wimborne featured upside down elements because climate change will turn our planet upside down,” said resident, Joanna Bury. Another group member, Steve Hutton, said: “I’m very proud to have taken part in the global call to end fossil fuels. “To have received the warm reception we did in Wimborne reminds me that I live in a town where people really care about the environment and the future of our planet.” “We sang fossil fuels themed songs, processed and unfurled banners before the Inside Out performances started, and in parts of Wimborne where performances weren’t taking place,” a spokesperson said. A Celebration of Art and Imagination
The summer holidays are a time for children to let their creativity run wild, and this year was no exception as young artists from across our community came together to participate in our exciting ‘Otter Gallery and Wimborne’s, Young Artist of the Year Competition’. The competition, held throughout the school summer holidays, saw an impressive display of artistic talent across various age groups. After weeks of creative exploration, the competition drew to a conclusion with an art exhibition showcasing all the work of our shortlisted artists, with a grand prize-giving ceremony where the winners were announced. The competition saw an impressive array of submissions from children aged 0 to 16, divided into three categories: 0-7, 8-12, and 13-16, all with the theme, 'Nature's Canvas'. Each age group presented its own unique set of challenges and opportunities for these young artists, making the judging process both exciting and challenging. The grand finale of the competition took place on September 2nd, with a full house of parents, friends, and art enthusiasts in attendance. The atmosphere was charged with excitement as the winners were announced, and the young artists received their trophies and gift vouchers. To top it off, each child received a packed goody bag filled with art supplies, inspiring them to continue nurturing their artistic passions. The Otter Gallery and Wimborne’s Young Artist of the Year Competition was not just an artistic showcase; it was a celebration of the creativity and talent that resides within our youngest community members. Ada Rose, Charlotte Elliott, and Izzy Cripps, along with all the participants, demonstrated that age is no barrier to artistic expression. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the participants. Their dedication and creativity have left an indelible mark on our hearts, and we look forward to witnessing their continued artistic journeys. We also want to say a huge thank you to all the parents who supported the competition and also our sponsors Winsor and Newton and Pegasus Art for donating such generous prizes and supporting Otter Gallery. As we close the chapter on this summer's art extravaganza, we eagerly await the next generation of artists to emerge and inspire us with their creativity. Until then, let's continue to nurture the artistic spirit in every child and celebrate the magic they bring into our lives through their art. Environmental campaign group Planet Wimborne has been awarded a £500 grant to help fund a green festival in the town.
The group, which describes itself as a ‘community of local people who are concerned about the climate and ecological crisis facing us today’, has been awarded the money by Wimborne Town Council. The 2023 Planet Wimborne Green Festival is set to take place in the week beginning October 14. It is the first time the council has awarded a grant to Planet Wimborne – the umbrella leadership group for all green groups in Wimborne. The annual Green Festival will feature community groups, businesses, organisations and churches, who have joined forces to put together ‘a week of fantastic events and activities designed to encourage us all to live more sustainably,’ the group said. “We’re particularly excited that this year’s programme includes Springwatch and Animal Park presenter Megan McCubbin headlining the opening weekend with an event at QE School,” they added. Jeff Hart, a director of Planet Wimborne, said: “We are delighted that Wimborne Town Council has awarded us this grant. It will help stage a week of fantastic events at Wimborne’s own Green Festival. “Planet Wimborne is keen to work with councils and all organisations to address concerns about the climate and ecological crisis facing us today.” The festival will feature a host of talks, craft sessions for all ages, the Saturday Green Fair on the Minster Green, tree-planting, a green trail to follow around Wimborne and more. Wimborne Community Theatre help kick off the event at 10.30am on October 14, on the Minster Green. Campaigners from three of Dorset’s leading climate action groups have come together to host the Dorset COP-2023.Climate action groups Zero Carbon Dorset, Dorset Climate Action Network (Dorset CAN) and Sustainable Dorset have joined forces to launch the first community-led Dorset COP in Dorchester.
The event will take place on Saturday 9 September at the Corn Exchange in Dorchester, with the aim of spurring the local community into urgent action to combat the threats posed by climate change and ecological collapse. The conference will be opened by Laura Baldwin, environmental campaigner and former Olympian, who said: “This event is not only ground-breaking but also of huge importance – not just for Dorset but for community activists everywhere. That’s why it hopes to attract people and organisations from right across the county.” COP-2023 hopes to attract people and organisations from all over Dorset, will feature a series of keynote speakers, workshops and panel discussions, and will close with a declaration of intent similar to those issued at the international COPs. Giles Watts, a coordinator with Dorset Climate Action Network, said: “This ground-breaking, community-led event is an attempt to apply the power of the international COPs to local issues and so galvanise Dorset into faster action to tackle the climate and ecological emergency.” Chair of Sustainable Dorset, Jenny Morisetti, said: “This event, a first in the UK we believe, will be Dorset’s very own opportunity for the community to network and have its say on climate and ecological issues. It will raise the power and reach of Dorset-based organisations by fostering collaboration, supporting the spread of vital information, and helping organisations to act locally in a way that puts people at the heart of decisions.” Co-founder of Zero Carbon Dorset, Mark Chivers, said: “While Dorset is extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, from rising sea levels to the loss of local species unable to cope with the rising temperatures, globally others are already suffering the consequences of climate change; losing their livelihoods, homes and even lives. But by raising awareness of the urgent need to act locally and demonstrate the depth of community commitment to tackling the crises we aim to secure action from all stakeholders and spur both Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Councils to take the lead suggested by the government’s own Climate Change Committee. |
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