14 January 2026 Help us launch DSAA's first ever Seaside Scramble!
A fun community event that supports the life-saving work of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. Seaside Scramble is a brand new, family-friendly obstacle event at Baiter Park. Participants of all ages and abilities can enjoy 5K of scrambling, climbing, crawling, and laughter all while supporting a local charity.
Event Details
Where: Baiter Park, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1TQ
When: Saturday, 09 May 2026
Time: 10:00am – 5:00pm
12 January 2026 West Parley Community Hub Function Room for Hire
With the building works all but complete, the Parish Council is excited to be welcoming the first users to the refurbished facility and feedback has been great.
The function room can easily accommodate tables and chairs for 100 people or if you prefer, it can be laid out for presentations or the room can be clear of furniture.
With the installation of a large rooflight & freshly painted white walls, the room is spacious, light and airy. The building has fully adjustable air conditioning, so the temperature can be altered to provide a comfortable temperature all year round. The ramp allows easy access to the entrance to the lobby which has toilets, including an accessible toilet. The laminate flooring provides a nice surface for all, with the benefit of being easy to keep clean.
Opening times are between 9am and 10.30pm
If you are interested in hiring the function room do please get in touch via Enquiries@westparley-pc.gov.uk and to view the terms and conditions, please refer to the booking form on the Community Hub page.
12 January 2026 West Parley NeighbourCar, become a Volunteer Driver!
Help local residents stay mobile by becoming a Volunteer Driver!
If you would like to find out more about using our services or becoming a volunteer driver,
please contact JOHN on 07592 860 104.
12 January 2026 Two Community events coming up at Parley Place Care Home
5 January 2026 Dorset Police Crime Commissioner Launches Precept Survey
The survey asks Dorset residents how much more they would be prepared to pay towards policing; however, this is not something I do lightly. I recognise how difficult things are for households which is why I am beyond frustrated at this unfair situation, and the pressure it may put on residents. Since I became PCC in 2021, I have been relentlessly lobbying government and MPs for a change to the national funding formula, a change which is necessary to provide Dorset Police with the funding it needs and deserves.
Currently, the funding formula makes no account of the seasonality or the rurality of this area and that is beyond unfair, not just for the Force but the people of this county. Dorset receives the second lowest proportion of central government funding in England and Wales and Dorset residents contribute 52% of the Force’s funding through their council tax, whereas the average for other Forces in England and Wales is around 35% and in some cases as low as 20%. It is also important to mention that the amount the Force receives from government does not cover continuing inflation, the underfunded mandatory pay awards or the increasing cost of policing which includes extensive and complex investigations, facilitating public protests and demonstrations and the continuing costs of officer recruitment and retention. Yet again, our Force is asked to do more and more with less.
The survey provides three options, including the potential maximum amount PCCs may be able to ask for - £14 per year. There are two other hypothetical amounts set in the survey, both likely to be above the precept limit – the options of £20 per year and £26 per year, which is the amount needed to balance the budget and allow for some investment to be made in policing. Choosing one of these hypothetical amounts would enable me to continue to advocate on Dorset’s behalf and push the government for a better, fairer deal.
The actual maximum permitted increase is expected to be confirmed by the government in December, alongside the Force’s central funding allocation.
I want to be clear: Dorset is a safe place and Dorset Police will continue to keep people safe. Our county is the eighth safest in the country, with crime continuing to fall and positive outcomes for victims on the rise. Anti-social behaviour has fallen again this year, tackling rural crime continues through national, regional and local collaborations, and Dorset remains the fourth lowest place for knife crime in England and Wales. As well as these results, 92% of 999 calls are answered within 10 seconds and outcomes for burglary victims have also improved significantly, placing Dorset in the top quarter of forces nationally. These achievements are something to be proud of especially given the significant financial challenges the Force continues to face.
I would be very grateful if you could take a few minutes to complete my survey and tell me how much you would be willing to pay towards policing next year.
As winter continues to bite, Dorset Citizens Advice are offering free energy advice training for frontline workers. It's suitable for any staff and volunteers who come into contact with vulnerable members of our community who may be experiencing fuel poverty.
This training is fully funded by National Citizens Advice and delivered in partnership with Citizens Advice Dorset Energy Unit and Dorset Community Action.It’s designed to equip frontline workers and volunteers with the knowledge and tools to identify and support those struggling with rising energy costs, enabling earlier intervention and better access to support services. The training only takes 90 minutes and is completely free.
5 January 2026 West Parley celebrates our Volunteer of the Year Award!
The hard work and dedication of volunteers from West Parley Residents Association (WPRA) was recognised at a recent event held at West Parley Community Hub. The Grand Reopening weekend included a celebration of people who have supported the community throughout the year, as well as those who participated in the recent refurbishment.
The Volunteer of the Year Award is given annually to individuals who demonstrate exemplary commitment to volunteering in West Parley. At the event, West Parley Parish Council was thrilled to announce John Dinsdale, Chair of WPRA as their ‘Volunteer of the Year’, for his unwavering dedication and outstanding contribution to the local community over many years. John has been an integral part of the residents association, known locally as the West Parley Volunteers, leading work around the village to keep West Parley looking fantastic. Chair of West Parley Parish Council, Mark Barber, said, “We are incredibly proud of John and the positive impact he has made. His enthusiasm and tireless effort in ensuring West Parley remains a beautiful place to live and work has not only enriched the lives of many but also inspired fellow volunteers. This award is a well-deserved recognition of his achievements. On behalf of the council, I would like to offer our sincere thanks to John and his team of volunteers for all their hard work.”
At the event, recognition was also given to Anne and John Smith, for their wonderful planting displays around West Parley. For people who live and work in the village, and those travelling through, the floral displays are truly special, and ensure the community looks bright and welcoming throughout the year.
West Parley Parish Council would like to extend its heartfelt congratulations to John D, Anne, and John S. We are truly grateful for all the wonderful volunteers within our community, who give up their time for the good of the community. Their dedication and selfless service are greatly appreciated.
For more information about the West Parley Volunteers, or to find out how you can get involved, please visit the West Parley Parish Council Website.
18 December 2025 Notice of Vacancy in Office of Councillor
Notice is hereby given that Samantha Moore has ceased to be a Member of the Parish Council, and that a vacancy now exists in the Office of Councillor for the Parish Council.
Would you like to become a Councillor and serve your community? There are several vacancies, please contact the Parish Clerk for more details if you are interested. Fore more information please see the Government's Good Councillor Guide.
15 December 2025 Christmas Update from Dorset Council
Dorset is on a journey to become an Age-friendly county. Imagine a Dorset where growing older means living better, and where every generation, disability and background enjoys life as we age. The first step will be to survey people from across Dorset, and understand what life is like for older people in the community.
The survey is for all adults 50 years and older. It covers 8 key areas of life, from health and housing to social life and employment. It will provide us with a well-rounded picture of what life is like for people, as they grow older in Dorset.
We would be very grateful if you could be involved in circulating our survey with older adults you interact with in your work/groups.
We will be sending you some paper surveys next week to get you started and can post out more as you need them. But we have also created a link to the survey online for those who prefer. You can access this through this Dorset Council link, or via the QR code below.
25 November 2025 Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou! Grand reopening of the West Parley Community Hub, What A Great Day for West Parley!!
To everyone who joined us to celebrate the reopening of the rebranded West Parley Community Hub.
Visitors included the High Sheriff of Dorset, Callum Bremner; Sir Chris Chope (MP); the WPRA Volunteers; many of our contractors; and so many families who shared cherished memories having been involved with the premises since the very start.
It was wonderful to be surrounded with such positive energy from all the visitors and to receive lots of interest in hiring the facility. The parish's Town Crier, David Craner welcomed visitors & his opening cry filled the building.
Football & Pétanque was taking place & the sports groups are extremely excited to make full use of the Community area. Parley Pre-School welcomed propective families for their open day to show off their extended facilities.
We are excited to offer a wonderful community space for generations to come.
17 November 2025 A Polite Reminder to all Dog Owners
Can we please take this opportunity to remind you about the Dorset Council Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in place on parish council land. There is signage at all entries to the playing fields and we thank those users who pick up after their dogs and keep their dogs off the marked pitches.
If you are unsure of the guidelines, you can read the full PSPO on the Parish Council noticeboard on the end wall of the Community Hub or on the Parish Council website Dog Policy.
The PSPO gives clear guidelines which are enforceable.
In Summary:
owners are to pick up their dog's poo in all public spaces and dispose of it appropriately
no dogs are allowed in enclosed children’s play areas or on marked sports pitches
dogs are to be put on a lead when instructed to do so by an authorised officer
dogs are to be kept on a lead in signposted and identified areas
Areas where you have to keep your dog on a lead are:
council owned allotments
formal public gardens
within 5 metres of marked sports pitches
council owned car parks
We thank residents for their assistance by following these guidelines to ensure the open spaces remaining enjoyable for all users.
17 November 2025 Public Information: vertidraining of playing fields, Weds 19th November
Please be advised that the annual vertidraining treatment is scheduled for Wednesday on the playing fields, but is subject to favourable weather conditions. This work is to aerate the playing fields to encourage both drainage and root growth, which should help to improve the overall condition of the playing fields for all users.
While you can continue to use the playing fields during the works, we recommend you remain a reasonable distance from the contractors undertaking the works.
5 November 2025 West Parley Community Hub, Grand Reopening, 15th November from 2pm!
Invitation to the Grand Reopening!
West Parley Parish Council is launching the newly refurbished West Parley Community Hub with an open event on Saturday 15th November, from 2pm to 6pm. Everyone is welcome to join us for an opportunity to see the new facilities. Light refreshments will be on offer, as well as a wonderful collection of photos and stories of the journey from the former Parley Sports Club to the new community space, spanning 70 years!
The new Community Hub will serve affiliated sports clubs, Parley Pre-School, and the wider community with rooms for hire. The bright, welcoming space offers improved accessibility features and multi-purpose rooms, with facilities for exercise classes, interest groups, social events and more.
The Grand Reopening will be a celebration of the new hub and the spirit of West Parley, which prides itself on the passion and dedication of its volunteers and local people, who work hard for the good of the community.
So why not come along and find out what new activities will be coming soon. Our local sports clubs and pre-school will also be represented, and would love to meet anyone interested in joining them.
We look forward to welcoming everyone, and encourage enquiries from people and groups who wish to use this fabulous new space. Please email the Parish Clerk to register your interest.
