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www.newforestdiary.co.uk Al Gordon is a bit peeved that he hasn't been given a Jubilee flag for his doll museum in Bridge St, Fordingbridge.
He's sent a message to undertaker IAN NEWMAN, who is IC Jubilee Flags saying
Even the bookie's got a flag, Ian...Hope you haven't had an email from the Almighty saying Al won't be needing one....
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MAN CHARGED WITH RAPING MIDDLE
AGED WOMAN IN FOREST
By Al Gordon FOREST CRIMEWATCH
Detectives have charged a man with rape following an incident at Ashurst in the New Forest on Sunday morning (May 13).
He is Timothy Stephen Foster, 26, of no fixed abode.
The charges are : one count of rape, and one further sexual offence.
He appeared before magistrates in Southampton on Wednesday, May 16).
The charges follow an incident which occurred about 200 yards from Ashurst Railway line, in which a 55-year-old woman was attacked and raped.
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TWO RESIDENTS HURT IN FIRE
DRAMA AT NURSING HOME
By AL GORDON
Two residents were hurt in a blaze in a ground floor bedroom at Allenbrook nursing home in Station Rd, Fordingbridge, at tea time on Saturday May 12
Several residents were evacuated until danger was past.
Hampshire Constabulary said :
"A fire broke out in a residents room at the nursing home. It was quickly discovered by members of staff following a fire alarm activation.
"The residents. were evacuated by staff. Fire, Ambulance and Police Attended and the Fire was quickly extinguished.
"Two residents were treated for minor smoke inhalation and one was taken to hospital for a non fire related complaint.
This appears to be an isolated incident which Hampshire Fire & Rescue together with Hampshire Police are investigating its cause."
Hampshire fire brigade headquarters said Fordingbridge firemen were called out first, then reinforcements were sent from Ringwood and New Milton.
A spokesman at the nursing home said today that a director would be making a statement. But he confirmed no one was injured and there was only a little damage.
Allenbrook's brochure states that there are 37 single rooms and 13 ensuites.
Residents pay £875 per week for nursing care.
A director said today that the damage will run into several thousands. They don't know the cause yet.
"But we are very grateful to the great job of the fire service and police," he said.
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Rotarians A Team put out the Jubilee bunting and flags in Fordingbridge town centre on Sunday May 13.
Picture AL GORDON will appear here in a day or two. Alas we can publish only one picture per issue.
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CROW WARS IN BRIDGE STREET - Crows (or even rooks?) fighting to the death on the roof of the Doll Museum. There are three birds. Looks like the one in the middle is an interloper, and was killed. Picture by AL GORDON another day. We can print only one picture per issue.
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DAVID PRICE former owner of David Price butchers in Market Place, Fordingbridge, and for many years a parish and town councillor, is very ill and is being treated at Salisbury Hospital where he is in Laverstock Ward. Betty Price, who runs JESSICA is very concerned and so are his multitude of friends. We wish David a speedy recovery. He was elected Deputy Mayor recently.
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MALCOLM CONNOLLY was elected Mayor of Fordingbridge for the fourth time on May 2. It was a unanimous vote.
Eat your heart out, Sarkozy...
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THE GREAT JEAN WILLIS
REMEMBERED
By AL GORDON
Fordingbridge Town Council planted a tree in the Memorial Gardens on May 2 in memory of Councillor JEAN FLORA WILLIS, who was the town's Mayor and Chairman three times.
Silver haired TERRY WILLIS, a retired oil tanker master, who was married to Jean for 50 years watched proudly as Mayor Malcolm Connolly unveiled the brass placque in Jean's memory at the foot of her favourite tree, a Rowan.
With him was their son PETER.
Malcolm was wearing the handsome gold chain of office which Jean had helped to raise the cash to buy several years ago.
In Al Gordon's picture JEAN (right) is having a drink with her great friend and dressmaker BETTY PRICE at the town's late night Christmas shopping evening, which she used to love as she was among happy friends.
We will be showing the picture of the tree unveiling ceremony on different days as we can publish only one picture at a time.
She was devoted to her town and spent all her waking hours over the past 30 years looking after the interests of the people, mostly the elderly and the vulnerable. But she loved children, too.
She started off as a dinner lady at BURGATE SCHOOL but was always very ambitious and worked so hard improving herself.
One of her proudest days was being promoted to be the school's Assistant Librarian. But Jean still wanted to improve herself once again and she was thrilled to be made a Governor.
Jean died suddenly last October aged 86.
WAR MEDALS
She was a very handsome lady, proud and erect and loved to wear her long black coat and gloves to march proudly at the head of the annual Remembrance Day parades, as she was a bemedalled ex service lady who actually fought at the Front, helping to man a 4.5 inch anti aircraft gun in France and Belgium as a range finder plotter.
She was in the thick of battle after the Normandy landings, helping to man her favourite 4.5.
She loved the French and their land and, with Helen Tague, she was one of the main organisers of the wonderful twinning with Vimoutiers.
Jean didn't really need a gun with her enemies as she had the sharpest of serpent tongues to aim at anyone who showed diss.
Al Gordon always got a good handbagging if he dared to tread on any of Jean's many pet loves.
At her funeral in the packed Parish Church there was an ack-ack gun etched in greenery and flowers on her coffin.
Jean was the town's first mayor. She had a great sense of humour.
The first Leader was actually called CHAIRMAN as the town only had parish council status before becoming a proper Town Council. They gave Jean her official badge which called her CHAIR.
But she told her great friend HELEN TAGUE, Clerk of the then parish council
" Chair? CHAIR? I'm not wearing that badge . I'm not a piece of furniture yet ! "
DANCING SAILOR
Jean met Terry at a Boxing Day dance at The Crown in 1959. He was a sailor home from the sea serving on HMS VANGUARD.
Terry asked her for a dance and wanted to walk her home, but he'd been celebrating like all sailors and was a bit tipsy.
Her brother-in-law Len warned her "You don't want to be involved with him - he's the town drunk!"
But they met again at the Crown New Year's Eve dance and Jean allowed Terry to walk her home as he had taken the hint in those glinting grey blue eyes, was completely besotted, and sobered up by then.
They were married a year later.
Jean was so proud when he went back to sea after the war in the Merchant Navy and became a humble deckhand on a tanker, promising her he would work as hard as she had done in her life so that he would get promotion - to the bridge !
Jean knew he wouldn't remain a deckhand if she had anything to do with it, and he got a stream of canny advice in her love letters.
Inspired by her great love for and faith in him, and supporting him while he was away at sea for many months at a time, and lonely herself, looking after their children.
Terry studied hard every hour he was off duty and slowly worked his way up the ladder to become Master of his huge tanker.
Terry and her friends have sold her wonderful embroidery for over £450 in aid of local charities that she supported, including her Avonway.
She was also a keen gardener and apparently had the most ordered neat and tidy garden in the town. No weed dared to raise its ugly head in her garden of Eden.
The tree Mayor Malcolm planted was her favourite Mountain Ash or Rowan because it was a Scots tree, and she loved the bright red berries.
She was born JEAN McGLASHAN, in Camden Town, London, the eldest of four.
AL GORDON is trying to get a copy of Jean's wonderful life story which will be of great interest to those who loved her and our wonderful town and would be grateful if a volunteer could re-type the eight pages and send it as an email to
dolldoctor34@live.co.uk
to paste it on our website.
Also grateful for any wonderful stories about the lass.
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**AL GORDON has made a disc of the tree planting pictures which will be kept at the Town Hall if anyone would like copies. A contribution to one of Jean's favourite charities would be appreciated.
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TWO PET DOGS SHOT BY FOREST FARMER
FOR SHEEP WORRYING
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ALL WERE CARRYING LAMBS
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COLLIE AND SETTER OWNER IN TEARS
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By AL GORDON
Forest Crimewatch
Two pet dogs were shot dead at Minstead, in the heart of the New Forest when caught by a farmer attacking and worrying a flock of sheep all carrying lambs.
A Collie Cross and a Setter were found worrying the flock at Minstead Manor Farm estate, Emery Down, 2 miles north of Lyndhurst.
Their owner collapsed in tears when police knocked on his door to break the terrible news.
Five sheep were attacked by the dogs. Two of the sheep had to be destroyed by a vet and the other three underwent a course of treatment for their injuries.
There were over sixty sheep in the field at the time of the incident, all of which were in lamb.
Farmer Christopher Green attempted to scare the dogs off with a warning shot. When that failed he had to shoot the dogs to stop them attacking his animals.
Chistopher said :"I tried to scare them off but they took no notice, and I had no alternative.
"I like dogs."
Police are warning dog owners to ensure they keep their animals under control in the countryside after
Legislation allows farmers, keepers and land managers to carry out such action to protect their livestock.
The owner of the dogs was interviewed by Police, accepted full responsibility for what happened and has paid the farmer £855 in compensation.
No further action will be taken against him.
Country Watch Sergeant, Louise Hubble stated “This is a tragic case in which there are no winners.
"Dog owners need to act responsibly at all times and ensure that their dogs are under control. This case involved two pet dogs who were not bred or trained for hunting but displayed natural behaviour when the opportunity was provided. The dog owner has not only had to pay a financial penalty, but has also paid the ultimate penalty with the death of his two pet dogs. ”
PICTURE NOTE: The lamb in the picture above is a Hampshire Police picure following its theft from another Hampshire farm a year or two ago.
(more on the dogs shot story later))
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MEMORIAL TREE PLANTED TO THE LATE COUNCILLOR
JEAN WILLIS
By AL GORDON
Fordingbridge Town Mayor Malcolm Connolly and members of the Town Council planted a tree as a memorial to the late Jean Willis, three times Mayor, who died last October, 86.
It is a rowan tree, a mountain ash, Jean's favourite said her husband of 50 years, Terry, as he watched the ceremony in the Memorial Gardens with their son.
As well as town councillors Jean's great friend HELEN TAGUE, who was Parish and Town Clerk of the town for over 30 years, was present.
There was a minute's silence and then the Mayor, unveiled a brass placque at the foot of the tree, which was already in leaf, and paid a warm tribute to Jean.
(There will be a picture tomorrow and hopefully more pictures in the FOREST JOURNAL next week.
Al Gordon is going to make a disc of the ceremony and give it to Town Clerk Kate Mason next week so that friends of Jean will be able to get copies from it.
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POLICE PROBE DUST UP AT
WASTE DISPOSAL DEPOT
By Al Gordon
FOREST CRIMEWATCH
Police are searching for a white van driver with a red hot temper after a dustup at Lymington waste disposal depot at noon on Friday April 27.
The victim was sitting in his vehicle queing to unload his rubbish when a white van with two men in it pupped up beside him and one of the men started abusing him and telling him to move out of their way.
The man moved out of their way fearing violence but Mr Angry still kept on threatening him.
He is described as being 6-ft 2inches, of stocky build with an Irish accent and wearing a jacket saying DORSET SALES on his back.
Police said the incident kasted for 5 minutes. The second white van man didn't take any part.
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GIANT MODEL STAG
STOLEN IN FOREST
By Al Gordon
FOEST CRIMEWATCH
A large ornamental metal stag measuring approx 5ft tall and with large rare 14 point antlers valued at approx £3000 has been stolen from a pensioners gaden at Ashurst by metal thieves.
Police say there were at least two thieves but don't know how many or the type of vehicle used.
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TOWN LONGING FOR
A LENGTHSMAN
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Must Measure Up To The Job
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Long Term Contract Offered
By Al Gordon
Fordingbridge Town Mayor Malcolm Connolly will go to any lengths to improve his leafy little riverside kingdom in the New Forest.
That's why he is advertising for a "Lengthsman", just like the awkward old cuss in our Google picture, above, except that's a Lancashire lad, and they don't come more awkward or cussed.
I must go to great lengths to explain that Lengthsmen are nothing to do with Wichita Linesmen.
They are straight out of Thomas Hardy and they can be toffee nosed about who they mix with.
A engthsman keeps a "length" of road , perhaps three-six miles, neat and tidy.
The long and short of it is that Mayor Malcolm wants this guy to keep our verges and ditches clean, open and shut the town wall doors and the canal lock gates if he can find them, and keep our roadsides neat and trim.
True Lengthsmen are the kind of awkward cusses who will take a yard if given an inch or give him a centimetre and he will take a metre.
Mayor Malcolm will pay him the Lengthman's due rates and give him a long term contract, of course.
Which is probably not a lot, but at least he gets to mind some interesting ditches.
So any likely lads should pop along to the Town Hall where the busy office blondes Kate and Debbie will dig out some details...Have to recite a few lines from Longfellow for his CV of course because all New Forest rubbish is very learned.
YOU'RE FIRED
He will really be Mayor Malcolm's Apprentice, so risk getting the stabbing finger saying Your Fired if he doesn't measure up to the job, although as a part time Post Office clerk Malcolm is the mildest of Mayors and doesn't drop his aitches like SrAlan (Lengthmen would of course ignore his Lordship 's true title) and wears his civic bling with pride.
However, as a former Armoured Car commander the Mayor can drop his mild manner if someone messes with his ditches.
Luckily he has a long civic fuse.
The job pays the Long Lad around £300 quid a week for a full timer, about £295 a week more than the Mayor, but I can't remember whether this is going to be full or part time. Malcolm should elect for a salary swap.
Although that doesn't quite sound like Fordingbridge wages...whereas Malcolm's allowance is spot on, as when it comes to wages Fordingbridge doesn't believe in inflation except in the saloon bar at The George and the betshop girls at Corals.
GOOGLE , knowalls who've got an opinion about everything, says :
Parish Lengthsman really are making a difference to the parishes they operate in.
Apart from the daily routine of litter picking and maintaining village amenities etc, Parish Lengthsman Schemes have also been successful in attracting other funding sources, enabling the parishes involved to carry out small projects and conservation schemes.
The job would suit Murdoch Junior as he would go to any lengths to get a job now that he's on the verge of losing BSkyB.
Old Man Murdoch also looks a likely candidate as he's known as the Dirty Digger and none more cussed has ever come from Down Under and his job's not safe. either.
Other possibles for the short list are Theresa May, Dave Cameron, Rebekah Wade, the Milliband Dalek twins, Jeremy Hunt...
Then there's Abu Quatada who could avoid a one way ticket to Jordan where they have plenty of jobles lengthsman looking to cut awkward cusses like Abu down to size with a flashing scimitar to the nape of the neck.
Why not Sarkozy who might get into the Finals as so many Fordingbridge folk now speak French a la Helen Tague and the Friends of Vimoutiers set routing for their twin town?
LETTERS FROM FRANCE
Of course the Old Cuss would have to speak the patois, even some pidgin francais, as he will have to recognise and pick up all those daily discarded French letters and not confuse them on a windy day with sundry crumpled greenhouse tunnels, as they are roughly the same size.
Fordingbridge Man , like all good Foresters, is always up for it, any place, any time, 24/7, and the Lengthsman will have a job to get up to speed and make the place all nice and respectable for the tourists and the horses.
In Victorian and Edwardian times the local lads boasted on notices all over town that they only bothered to get up every other day to save on food and fuel and while away the long hours increasing the local population, which, as a result, has now swollen to 6500 souls, although Augustus John sired about a thousand of these.
Modern Fordingbridge Men have learned the error of past ways and now rise daily at least by the time The George opens, which is just after 2am.
In local government circles the Town Halls politely flash their lengthsman seals coded texts that offending sex aids are littering up the place by saying tersely
M'sieur, You Have Mail, si'lvous plait.
Gettit?
In the posh thatched cottage village of Rockbourne, just up the road, known as The Town With The Haystack Roofs, they are politely called Letters From France so as not to frighten the horses.
The haystackers are still reeling from the invasion of Roman Legions a thousand or two years ago.
The Centurions arrived by the Isle of Wight ferry up the River Avon and wcleared Customs at Fordingbridge, declaring a few discarded borrowed ears.
They soon got fed up with parish council notices saying KEEP OFF THE GRASS, as they urgently needed it to get high, and swiftly tired of the place.
So they decided to yomp 5 miles up the road to this paradise of Rockbourne which Fordingbridge Man slyly told them about.
ENTER CENTURIONS
According to Fordingbridge Man, who wanted rid of the pesky clanking centurions, , this Paradise of Rockbourne apparently was awash with oysters, a popular aperitif prelude to hanky panky, even though its 20 miles inland, and an all star cast of frisky virgins who were then copious inland as well as by the seaside.
So , foolishly putting their trust in wily Fordingbridge Man, they marched expectantly spears and genitalia aslant, and did what all Roman centurions had to do, politely leaving their sandals at the door, just as their Samurai counterparts did in Japan, toe-holes pointing backwards showing they didn'tintend to stay long, say 1000 years or more, give or take a few millenia.
That's why newborn babies in the village now go straight on to spag bol sprinkled with Parmesan instead of mother's milk and wear Morthercare togas instead of nappies.
The oysters are long gone down a million throats but there are still a few virgins and Letters From France around needing tidying up.
Enough to keep any self respecting Lengthman busy for another thousand years.
Publisher's Note : Enough, ENOUGH.
Too much information.....
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AL GORDON says -
Cameron will surely sink like the Titanic, but without trace.
As the liner slowly settled in the water her compartments slowly filled, one by one, until the designer knew exactly when the filling of the key one would make her sink.
With Cameron its his Departments and their bosses slowly sinking, but alas no one knows how many departments must settle in the water before the end.
He's even being blamed for Manchester United's defeat by Man City.
He should have let Rooney and Hunt swap jobs.
Vince Cable is the best man in the Coalition, and probably in the House. He was the first to see through Murdoch, while the rest on both sides were licking his arse.
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WOMAN DRIVER TRAPPED IN
FLOODED STREAM
By AL GORDON
Fordingbridge firemen dashed to help a woman driver reported trapped in her car at a ford (crossing) of the rainswollen Huckles Brook, a tributary of the River Avon, at Furzehill, near Hyde on Wednesday last week.
Hampshire fire brigade hq reported at 1.55pm that the woman was freed by the time they arrived.
We are trying to find out how she got out.
More on this later
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TREE BLOCKS AVON POSING
FUTURE FLOOD THREAT
By AL GORDON
Al Gordon's picture shows a huge fallen tree branch which is half blocking the RIVER AVON 75 yards upstream of the 13th century 7-arch FORDINGBRIDGE town bridge and poses a major flood threat when the heavy rains come as they certainly will.
Its going to rain for the rest of this month and the river will rise slightly.
It will snag any floating debris, build up a dam, and force the floodwaters over the concrete perimeter wall adjoining the Riverside flats and houses.
The fallen branch has been blocking the AVON for at least a year but the town has got away with it as there hasn't been any floodwaters from upstream for many many months.
An alarmed riverside lady resident in her 80s has been warning me of the danger for some months now.
I raised the matter at the annual town assembly meeting at the FORDINGBRIDGE TOWN HALL on Wednesday April 18 when TOWN CLERK Kate Mason said environment officials were fully aware of the problem.
Sounds like a nice little job for our new Lengthsman?
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NEW NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
IN RINGWOOD
By Al Gordon FOREST CRIMEWATCH
With the ever increasing demand on police resources, police officers in Ringwood are encouraging residents to help them keep crime levels down in the area by getting together and setting up Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) Schemes.
In some areas where Neighbourhood Watch schemes have been introduced, residents have seen a reduction in anti-social behaviour and other crimes, as NHW often acts as a deterrent to criminals.
In Hampshire there are almost 5,000 NHW schemes involving more than 151,000 households.
These are managed by more than 6,000 volunteer co-ordinators who all play a significant role in our fight against crime by making our communities safer places to live, work and visit.
Ringwood’s police community support officer’s (PCSO’s), Tracey Cooper and Sam Knight are asking residents in the area to think about the values and benefits of Neighbourhood Watch.
PCSO Tracey Cooper said:
“Setting up a scheme is very straightforward. Residents need to choose a well defined area in which the scheme will operate, ie. a close of houses, a road, part of a road between two junctions, etc.
Once the area has been defined neighbours within that area are canvassed to establish the level of interest.
Once that’s established, the scheme requires someone to co-ordinate and arrange a local meeting for the residents.
The next step is to telephone your local Safer Neighbourhoods officers to request and agree a suitable date and time for the meeting and advise all residents of the venue, date and time.
The officer added: “A Safer Neighbourhoods officer will attend the meeting and present the theory of Neighbourhood Watch to residents who may then decide whether or not they wish to start a scheme.”
Anyone who is interested in joining or setting up a scheme within their neighbourhood should contact PCSO’s Tracey Cooper or Sam Knight by phoning Ringwood police station on 101
or by e-mailing ringwood.snt@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
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TWO BUSY TOWN HALL BLONDES
Blonde DEBBIE VINE is the new Assistant Town Clerk at Fordingbridge Town Hall
Her boss KATE MASON, the Town Clerk, is also a blonde.
Mayor MALCOLM CONNOLLY welcomed Debbie at this week's town assembly at the Town Hall.
Debbie is a keen horsewoman, married to a boat charterer and lives at Hale.
The Mayor said : "We had to take Debbie on because Kate was being overwhelmed with work including having to deal with 40 emails a day besides welcoming and helping dozens of daily visitors.
"We want anyone to knock on the Town Hall door if they think our service can be improved. We're here to help! "
There will be more pictures of the people at the meeting in the coming weeks - we can print only one picture a day.
FLYING DUSTMEN ARE TIP TOP
Al Gordon, of The Doll Museum, Bridge street, paid a warm tribute to our Flying Dustmen who actually hit Bridge Street running at 6.30am every Thursday, cheerily scooping up the rubbish at the trot and never leaving even scrap.
Our area doesn't have the rubbish collection problems that so many other cities have.
They work so fast that their lorry hardly ever stops and crawls along.
New Forest Chief Executive DAVE YATES who was at the meeting said he was so pleased at the praise his A Team were getting.
But Al said he was worried about the increasing volume of speeding pavement cyclists and skateboarders hurtling down to the River.
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NEW COUNCIL WEBSITE
Mayor Malcolm and Councillor MALCOLM ADAMS are very proud of the Town Council's brilliant new website which will publicise the town and attract even more visitors plus giving a platform to local people to air their views and also publicise local organisations.
The website is still being developed and may not be up and full of running for a few weeks.
It is
www.fordingbridge.gov.co.uk
You can write to the Town Clerk Kate at the Town Hall or contact Malcolm Adams at CAXTON DECOR for contact details and the new website's email address, which will be ready soon.
LATE COUNCILLOR JEAN WILLIS
The Mayor said a tree will be planted in early May to commemorate the late JEAN WILLIS who was MAYOR for three terms as well as serving the town for many, many years, and Malcolm said Jean had done so much for the town she loved and was greatly missed.
We will be giving details of the ceremony soon.
TOILET PROBLEM
The Mayor said they were having problems with the pongy toilets on the riverside recreation ground and "they are not fit for purpose,"
They are getting a makeover soon.
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There was a 50 minute power cut in Fordingbridge from approximately 8.45pm - 9.35 pm on Saturday 21 April. We are seeking the reason.
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CARER CUTS
Hampshire County Council is cutting 165 full time carer jobs, says the 20p I newspaper.
The council is examining "cost- effective care packages."
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LOCAL AUTHOR BOOK READING
SESSIONS.
By AL GORDON
Al Gordon, an elected member of the SOCIETY OF AUTHORS, will be holding one hour long daily book readings at his Doll Museum and Art Gallery in Bridge Street, FORDINGBRIDGE.
He will read his 7000-word booklet THE WHIPS OF WAR, as no one else will, not even on Kindle where even bright sunlight doesn't blur the magic prose...
The booklet is about the 8 million warhorses from both sides, who died at The Front in the First World War.
Al wrote the work about 12 years ago as an outline for a film. He is still trying to find a backer.
The old fool just will not face up to the awful truth...
It is a very moving story based on one war horse, a retired, 16 year old Edwardian Grand National runner.
The story was told to Al by two visitors to the Doll Museum who are descendants of the poor horse's owners.
Later he will also be reading some of his other short stories so far unpublished, as they are likely to remain so.
Alas, for those of a nervous disposition, he will also read some of his pathetic poetry.
Being short stories, the readings will take only about an hour. even though most will have had enough after ten minutes, but they will have done their money and must remain squirming in their seats until THE END as it will have gone on the nose of the Favourite in the 2.30.
Anyone not listening will have to suffer another Reading...
Minimum two people, one of whom must be sober to prop up the pissed person.
Don't bring your mobile, please! Switch off hearing aids, as now he had new front teeth costing £125, they will be able to lip read.
Al has enormous stamina when it comes to reading his works and he is dreaming of a large audience.
He may have to dream on, as he's a fast fading 78 and on April 8th turned into what may be life's final cul de sac.
He has in mind, oddly enough, a figure of 8 million which, at Tote odds of £5 a throw, means £40 million, although he would reluctantly settle for 39.9 million Euros.
Alas there are no public toilet facilities at the museum which is just as well, as after a few pages they would be permanently ENGAGED.
He will also offer ABC writing courses.
"Everyone has a novel in them," says Al.
"They just need confidence boosting and be flush enough to give me their five quid."
If pupils wish, Al can design an ABC website and internet support by a top local expert, aka a pal from The George over the road.
This will enable wanne be Rupert Murdoch's to start their own rival to SkyBskyB and publish their own works.
Also he will help them to try and persuade advertisers to display their wares on their site and earn some dosh.
This will be very, very attractive to the disabled, so long as they are able to use their fingers to type.
Visitors will pay £5 for the Readings , for a signed copy of the WHIPS OF WAR, and tea or coffee.
He will also offer basic ABC art courses and display pupils' work in his Gallery and shop window for sale, on commission.
"Anyone can paint," he says. "They just need confidence."
Al was a writer on the DAILY MIRROR for nearly 30 years, covering all the big stories at home and abroad.
He specialised in CRIME and WILDLIFE and is a leading expert on PRINCESS DIANA, having covered the Romance and the wedding and honeymoon and also her mystery death,
To make a booking write to Al at
The Doll Museum
3 Bridge St
FORDINGBRIDGE SP61AH
Tel : (01425) - 658051 any evening.
EMAIL: dolldoctor34@btinternet.co.uk
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The Princess Diana doll at the PRINCESS DIANA DOLL MUSEUM in Bridge Street. Fordingbridge, is going on show in the shop window in the next few days.
The 4-ft high doll was made by DAPHNE GORDON when DIANA became engaged to PRINCE CHARLES in the 1980s.
AL GORDON owner of the Museum wrote hundreeds of articles about DIANA when he was a writer on the DAILY MIRROR.
The Diana doll has been visited by many thousands of people from around the world.
There will also be on show the famous PRINCE WILLIAM baby doll, made when he was toddler, with a photo of him being shown to his grandmother, The Queen.
All the museum dolls are for sale.
See
http://www.princessdianadolls.co.uk
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BEWARE FORGED £20 NOTES
THEFTS FROM FOREST CARS INCREASING
By Al Gordon
Shopkeepers in FORDINGBRIDGE and RINGWOOD have been hit by forged £20 notes and dud £1 coins.
One shopkeeper showed me a dud £20 note and it was an awesome copy.
There is a special yellow pencil which, if rubbed on the note, turns the scribble muddy brown.
Another trick is to try and make a small tear across the silver band. If the silver strip tears its a dud.
The one I saw didn't have an intermittent silver thread.
But then its pretty embarrassing tearing up notes whether they are £20, £5 or £50.
Police are also warning about increasing thefts of car contents in the Forest.
Owners should not leave items and clothing on seats.
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Our publisher Al Gordon who was 78 on Easter Sunday is amazed at the large number of people, mainly women, walking around Fordingbridge in the bitter Easter winds wearing only T-shirts.
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COUNCIL SAYS NO ! NO ! NO ! NO ! NO! TO ROSE & ALEXANDER 5 HOMES
DEVELOPMENT
APPEAL LAUNCHED
By Al Gordon
New Forest District Council has turned down a planning application to develop five homes on the ROSE & ALEXANDER site in Bridge Street, Fordingbridge.
It would have fronted on to the River Avon just below the town's 13th century seven arch bridge.
Al Gordon of the DOLL MUSEUM opposite objected to the plan saying it meant the demolition of 17th century sail lofts, and the only entrance and exit was on to a busy roundabout in the hub of the town.
He was asked about his views by the Rural Council as he is a nearby resident.
He also said it meant demolition of centuries old trees on the river bank so that the new owners could have a view of the river to die for.
New Forest Council said permission was refused because it meant the demolition of a very old outbuilding.
The lady developer is objecting.
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1960S HARRODS BEDSTEAD FOR SALE
Al Gordon, of The Doll Museum, 3 Bridge Street, Fordingbridge, is selling a 1960s brown velvet bedstead. The headboard is in first class condition. Price £395.
Buyer collects. Phone 01425 658051 after 10am any day including Sundays.
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NEW CHEMIST OPENING SOON
By Al Gordon
A new chemist is opening soon in Bridge Street, Fordingbridge.
The proprietor apparently was refused planning permission for the shop some years ago as there was probably an objection.
He has taken over part of the former ROSE& ALEXANDER hardware store. The owners have moved a few feet along the street and opened the very successful SCRUFFS pet foods.
Shopfitters started preparing the premises on Tuesday April 10,
Adrian Dowding, the Bridge Street estate agent. brokered the letting.
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7011 - 15-4-12
6934 - 9-4-2012
6893/5/4/12
6863 - 2/412
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HOW TO BECOME FAMOUS
Al Gordon, who was a DAILY MIRROR writer for 30 years, has started a publicty firm.
For reasonable fees Al will publicise your company, your club, your pets, your ambitions.
LET US TELL THE WORLD ABOUT YOU.
Call Al evenings on 01425 658051 or write to him at The Doll Museu, 3 Bridge St, Fordingbridge.Hants SP61AH
D0N'T EMAIL AS I HAVE BEEN HACKED.!
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SHOP WATCH PRICE WATCH
By AL GORDON, who has been doing the family shop for 60 years !
WAITROSE offers the best value for shopping, without expensive "loyalty " cards.
Its not only posh but the prices are very, very reasonable.
Big fat Easter chickens today for £4.50. Huge piece of wonderful cheddar cheese for just £2.95. Marmalade from 35p. Good claret for £5.95 which shows up TESCO AND THEIR LUDICROUS WINE PRICES.
All TESCO wines seem to have been reduced from £10 to £5.Can't believe anyone ever paid £10 for it, and I wouldn't pay a fiver.
They had a very good chocolate and valilla ice cream family block for just £1. But that's just rocketed up to £1.53.
Tesco pricing is crazy, as if they are playing roulette.
But their CLOVER spread is still £2.08 for 500 grams having dropped to an amazing 97p for about a week, but it has returned to £2.03.
Wheraas SAINSBURY;s offer 1500 grammes for just £3.
Graham Bacon and his wife are doing a good trade in luscious Lymington strawberries which actually taste of strawberries unlike the cheap and cheerful wooden tasting Spanish ones.
SAINSBURY also offers 2 thick gammon rashers for £2. SHANDY is £1.49p for six tins.
PRICE THE BUTCHER IN Fordingbridge market place have wondereful meats at great quality and their mince is cheaper than most supermarkets and tastes brilliant.
Lambs liver is also delicious and you can get enough for two for £1.
Its a treat to shop for food and hardware goods in RINGWOOD.
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CONTACT : dolldoctor34@live.co.uk
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