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August 2020 August 2020

Wessex Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (WRFCC). They will consider the IT’S A DOG’S LIFE
co-ordination of proposed schemes and how the costs and benefits of any
investment can be spread between geographical areas, communities and
sectors. DOG DAYS
The new Dorset Coastal Engineering Partnership area stretches from Lyme Regis in The dog days of summer are when Sirius (The Dog Star) appears to rise just before
the west to Chewton Bunny in the east. the sun in late July. These days coincide with the flowering of the dog rose and
are often the hottest time of the year, a period that could bring fever or even

catastrophe. The Dog Rose is so named because of its prickly nature and a
Virtual Council Meetings belief that the roots should be used if one is bitten by a rabid dog. Hence the
expression “Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the Midday sun”. It may also
Although there has been a campaign by government to get people to return to
work, we have been advised that this is not to be the case for Councils and that explain why we get riots on hot days and why, mad people converged on
we should continue to work virtually for the moment. This is disappointing as we Bournemouth Beach on the only really hot day of the year so far.
were planning on holding “hybrid” meetings from September with some
Councillors in attendance and some who are still shielding attending over the My owner went to
Ringstead to sit on the
internet. We are taking advice and will be looking to restart as soon as we can. In beach and look at
any case the legislation for holding virtual meetings has a “sunset clause” that the cruise liners
stipulates we can not do this after March of next year.
moored out in
Weymouth Bay. I
didn’t go as it was
The financial impact of Covid 19 on housing
thought it would too
Citizens Advice and Shelter are hot and too stony on
joining forces to help local the beach for me. I
people cope with the financial LOVE GOING TO THE
impact of the Coronavirus BEACH . I rush around
crisis. One of the effects of the make friends with
ongoing crisis is that some everyone on the
D o r s e t r e s i d e n t s a r e beach getting them
experiencing pressure on their to throw things for me. They think I am a lost dog. My owner pretends I am not
finances. Many individuals and her dog as I am embarrassing her.
families have seen their I know lockdown is easing but as far as I am concerned its worse. I AM BORED,
incomes reduce over the past BORED, BORED! My owner has purchased a Now TV stick and has persevered to
few months and this has had install it on the TV so she can watch test cricket. She worked out that with three
the impact of increasing rent test matches in a calendar month she can watch three games (15 days) for one
and mortgage arrears for these residents; many of whom were already month’s subscription. She did intend to keep it until September so she could
experiencing very tight budgets.
watch the Ryder cup Golf but as that has been cancelled. I think she will cancel
Whilst there is currently a hold on actual court repossession action, the concern is at the end of the month. I am delighted. Honestly cricket, it goes on an on, for
that this problem is building up and without early action, people’s homes could be FIVE DAYS!!! She sits there doing her knitting squirming with excitement on the
under threat. With good advice and support, those experiencing difficulties can televised reviews or slumped in the chair snoring. She was really gloomy after
maximise their income and manage any rent or mortgage arrears in a way that England lost the first test. At the time of writing we have two more tests to go. I
keeps them in their home. Kate Parker from Shelter Dorset commented: "It's about don’t know if I can cope.
getting the right help early on. We really encourage people to seek support from What humans don’t realize is that, their dogs watch them all the time. In the
our specialist housing team before it reaches a crisis point."
mornings when I want to go out for a walk she is on Facebook, checking emails
and I often get quite cross. What can be more important than taking me out?

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