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April 2020 April 2020

THE BERE REGIS FOLK GROUP DORSET COUNCIL- WEST PURBECK REPORT

Bere Regis Folk Night is held every 3rd Tuesday of the
month in the Stable Bar (the old skittle alley) of the Drax Coronavirus
Arms, West Street, Bere Regis. It is a non profit making
evening and aims to bring live music at little or no cost into The Council is prioritising its workforce to
the village. You can hear a wide range of music from folk help the most vulnerable in society who
to rock played by local people who are there by invitation may be finding life difficult at the
only. It is a non profit making evening, most artists play for moment. We can add nothing further to
free and no charge is required. Occasionally there will be the advice that is being issued by the
a small charge to cover the costs of those Government and would urge people to
artists who charge for their performance. watch the news for the latest
developments. There is a great deal of
Refreshments are readily available from the main bars of the Drax
Arms. advice on how people can protect
themselves online at www.nhs.uk/
coronavirus.
Tuesday 21st April 2020
Tax on Empty properties
at 8pm in the Stable Bar of the Drax Arms.
Most people will be aware that we have a very major housing shortage in Dorset.
There will be no entrance fee on this occasion.
At our recent full Council meeting we approved a variety of incentives designed
to encourage people with houses not to leave them empty for long periods of
time thereby bringing them back into the Housing market. One of the approved
Purbeck Storm are a five piece band, play a lively mix of original, initiatives relates to long-term empty
contemorary and traditional English, Irish and American Folk- properties incurring an increase in
roots. From riotous drinking songs, sing-along favourites, spirited council tax. Councillors approved, in
songs of defiance and dissent, to songs of dark murder.
addition to the existing premium on
Mc Flute are a duo made up of Terry on guitar and vocals and properties empty for more than two
Crispin on flute. Regulars on the Dorset folk scence and we years to charge a council tax
welcome them back to our Folk Night. premium of 200%, effective from 1
April 2020, if the dwelling has been
Andrew Helson mult- instrumentalist who plays a mixture of Irish unoccupied and unfurnished for at
and Folk songs. least 5 years and to charge a
council tax premium of 300%,
Alan Winter who sings and John House who accompanies effective from 1 April 2021, if the
him. They both play the guitar.
dwelling has been unoccupied and
We look forward to seeing you on this occasion. If you have never unfurnished for at least 10 years. At
tried the venue you will be most welcome and perhaps you will the date of writing this article, there are approximately 176 properties that have
find it most enjoyable. been empty for at least two years.

Broadband

I have informed BTOpenreach that we are very dissatisfied with their service and I
will be talking to our MPs and hopefully to a Minister to try to get a greater

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