A New Year's Resolution: Beautifying Littlemoor, One Piece of Rubbish at a Time (01.01.24)

In January, I made a New Year's resolution to document the litter I pick up during my early morning walks with my loyal canine companion. My goal was to share these findings online, hoping to inspire others to join in the effort to beautify Littlemoor.

With each walk, I collected a handful of rubbish littering our streets and green spaces. From discarded wrappers to stray bottles, every piece told a story of neglect and disregard for our environment.

By sharing these findings online, I aimed to raise awareness about the importance of keeping our community clean and encourage others to take action. Together, we can make a difference and preserve the beauty of Littlemoor for generations to come.

Reporting Potholes on Louviers Road (02.01.24)

In early January, I took note of four troublesome potholes scattered along Louviers Road, particularly around the junctions. Additionally, I observed the deteriorating condition of the road leading up to the reservoir, which I'll delve into shortly.

About two weeks later, a team from Dorset Council was dispatched to address the issue.

Road Damage Report and Repair Update (03.01.24)

During an inspection of the road damaged by an arson attack in late 2023, I took the initiative to report the issue directly to Persimmon Homes, who manage the road pending adoption by Dorset Council. Kate from Persimmon Homes was cooperative and assured me that repairs would be carried out later in the year. I'm pleased to report that the repairs were completed in early March, resolving the issue promptly.

Clearing the Path: Storm Henk's Impact on Teddy Bear Woods (05.01.24)

When Storm Henk wreaked havoc through Teddy Bear Woods, also known as Horse Lynch Plantation, it brought down numerous trees, some of which were dead or dangerously close to collapsing onto paths, blocking them entirely. Concerned about the safety of pedestrians, I promptly reached out to both Dorset Council and Dorset Wildlife Trust to address the issue and ensure the path was cleared.

To my pleasant surprise, they went above and beyond by not only clearing the path but also cutting the downed trees in half, effectively opening up the pathway for all to use. Additionally, I discovered that Dorset Council still owns and manages the woods, providing valuable insight into the management of this cherished natural space.

Taking Action: Repairing Fences near Lodmoor Meadows (14.01.24)

Despite promises from Persimmon Homes to fix the fences near Lodmoor Meadows, the repairs were never carried out. Frustrated by the lack of action, I decided to take matters into my own hands and personally repaired the fences myself!

Clarifying Road Ownership: Resolution of Fly-tipping Issue (19.01.24)

After extensive communication between Wessex Water and Dorset Council regarding road ownership up to the reservoir, clarity emerged. A conveyance document dating back to December 1977 from the former Weymouth and Portland Borough Council conclusively established the council's ownership. Armed with this information, the council promptly addressed the fly-tipping issue on the site and cleared overgrown grass.

However, tackling the two bags of concrete and dumped soil proved to be more challenging, requiring a separate operation with the assistance of heavy machinery.

Site Cleanup: Removal of Dumped Earth and Concrete (26.01.24)

In late January, a digger was brought in to address the issue of dumped earth and two bags of concrete at the site. The cleanup operation successfully removed these materials, significantly improving the appearance of the area.

During a conversation with a kind lady near the bus stop on Louviers Road, she mentioned the broken window there. It had happened a couple of weeks ago, but she wasn't sure of the exact date. Concerned about the safety hazard posed by the sharp edges, I reported it to Dorset Council, hoping for a prompt resolution.

Guess what? The broken window has been fixed! It's heartening to witness positive changes in our community, one step at a time.

Positive Change: Broken Window Fixed on Louviers Road (30.01.24)

Road Ownership Revealed: Prompting Pot Hole Repairs (30.01.24)

Armed with newfound knowledge about the ownership of the road leading up to the reservoir, I wasted no time in reporting the numerous pot holes to the Highways department. With a little persuasion, they promptly took on the task of repairing them at the end of January.

Addressing Concerns: Homeless Encampment Near Weymouth (06.02.24)

During an early February stroll near Weymouth, I stumbled upon the underpass of Mercury Road and encountered what appeared to be a homeless encampment. The sight was disheartening, with evidence of makeshift living arrangements, including melted plastic from burned-out shopping trolleys, scattered alcohol containers, camping gear, and various types of litter.

Recognising the potential safety and environmental hazards posed by the encampment, I promptly reported it to Dorset Council. After two weeks, the council took action and cleared the site.

It's my hope that by addressing such concerns, we can contribute to a cleaner and safer community environment for all residents and visitors alike.

Prompt Fix for Local Street Light Issue (06.02.24)

I noticed a street light near my residence had gone out, so I reached out to Dorset Council. They addressed the issue promptly, and within a week, the light was back in working order.

Cleaning Up Littlemoor's Retail Park Area (07.02.24)

While out for a stroll with my furry friend, I stumbled upon a troubling scene near Littlemoor's retail park. The area was strewn with debris, including beer cans, broken glass, food wrappers, and even a fragment of a mattress. It appeared as though someone had turned it into a makeshift shelter. Not only was the sight unsightly, but the odour emanating from the site was also quite unpleasant.

Recognising the potential environmental and safety hazards posed by this makeshift dwelling, I promptly reported it to Dorset Council. I'm pleased to report that they acted swiftly to address the issue, ensuring the well-being of both residents and visitors in our community.

Cleaning Up Bincombe Valley School's Green Space (08.02.24)

As spring approaches, it's time to give the green space near Bincombe Valley School a makeover. Upon noticing the litter scattered across the area, I took action and reported it to Dorset Council. The debris included beer cans, bottles, crisp packets, and even a stray shopping basket, making the area unsightly. Fortunately, after a week, the site was cleared, restoring its beauty. Check out the before and after photographs to see the transformation!

Restoring the Kissing Gate: A Neighbourly Act (09.02.24)

In early February, our friendly neighbourhood anonymous handyman discovered that the kissing gate near the bird sanctuary had been vandalised by the motocross enthusiasts. Without hesitation, he dedicated a morning or two to repair the damage and restore the gate to better than its former state.

This task, as evident, demanded half a tonne of construction aggregate. They constructed a robust structure around the kissing gate to fortify it, supplemented by a natural barrier of fallen trees to restrict their access.

Neighbourhood Handyman Tackles Impassable Path (11.02.24)

Once again, the friendly neighbourhood handyman took the initiative to restore a section of the path to Teddy Bear Woods or Horse Lynch Plantation overrun by brambles. Following several months of heavy rain, the path had become nearly impassable due to the resulting mud.

Neighbourhood Handyman's DIY Upgrade: Improving the Steps of 2023 (11.02.24)

Our friendly neighbourhood handyman had some leftover wood and decided to "upgrade" the previous steps installed in early 2023.

Challenging the Rate Increase at the Full Council Meeting (13.02.24)

During the Full Council meeting to discuss the rate increase, I stood as the sole voice in all of Dorset to challenge the council about their uncontrolled spending.

Click here if the embedded video isn't working.

Community Cleanup Efforts on Louviers Road (21.02.24)

In mid-February, after numerous emails to Dorset Council regarding the litter issue on Louviers Road, I encountered a group of dedicated individuals diligently clearing the area of debris.

Newly Patched Pothole near Littlemoor Reservoir 🚧 (26.02.24)

After a month of exchanging emails with both Dorset Council and Wessex Water, we finally established the ownership of the road leading up to the reservoir and clarified any conveyance issues. With this sorted, I am now able to report any issues, such as potholes, directly to Dorset Council.

Fixing Rotted Pole in Lorton Meadows (26.02.24)

Towards the end of February, our friendly neighbourhood handyman struck again by fixing the wooden pole that had rotted away, leaving one of the gates in Lorton Meadows open.

Assessing the Condition of Weymouth's Harbourside Car Park (02.03.24)

Before a recent meeting in Weymouth town, I took the opportunity to inspect the state of the Harbourside Car Park. To my dismay, I found it in an appalling condition, despite the exorbitant fees we pay compared to Dorchester. It seems Dorset Council's policy is to penalise those in bustling tourist areas. I promptly submitted a report to Dorset Council to address the issue, and I intend to follow up with Highways to ensure action is taken.

Addressing Maintenance Concerns on Louviers Road (08.03.24)

In December 2023 (20.12.23), amidst a snowstorm, I had a meeting with Dave and his colleague to discuss the maintenance issues plaguing Louviers Road. These issues included the lack of road markings and numerous pot holes. Following our discussion, Dave and Dawn inspected the road and noted that Bincombe Valley Children's Centre required a refresh, with over 75% of the road markings missing.

While I cannot claim sole credit for the identification and action taken, I am pleased to report that our concerns were addressed in early March as part of ongoing efforts to improve the area.

Successful Community Litter Pick - A Big Thank You! (16.03.24)

I want to express my gratitude to everyone who joined today's litter pick event. My mother and I participated, managing to clear a total of four bags (with many more bags collected by others, not shown in the picture). In total, we collected almost 20 bags of litter!

A special thanks to James at the Top Club for hosting the event. Your support and participation made a significant difference.

Thank you all!

Success: Clearing the Site at Lodmoor Sands (28.03.24)

After about two months of exchanges with Dorset Council, Environmental Health, and Sage Homes, my perseverance has paid off. The site has finally been cleared, benefiting all residents of Lodmoor Sands.

Conversation about Pothole on Maunsell Avenue (02.04.24)

On the second of April, I was distributing leaflets along Maunsell Avenue when I engaged in a conversation with a resident who expressed his dissatisfaction with the pothole near the bus stop. Despite his attempts to address the issue with our "local" Conservatives, no resolution was reached. Subsequently, a report was filed by me, and there are now plans for maintenance that I will monitor closely.

Addressing the Stagnant, Polluted River in Weymouth (17.04.24)

Ball rolling... watch this space :)

Addressing Leftover Camping Site Debris (30.04.24)

Back in January 2024, it seems we had some enthusiastic campers who left behind a little surprise in Teddy Bear Woods. I took it upon myself to tidy up a bit, but let's just say, some of their gear was a bit too hefty for my backpack. So, I had to call in the cavalry—well, in this case, the Trust—to haul away the big stuff. Looks like our woodland critters had some unexpected company!

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