AT the Community Forum AGM the following were elected to the committee, Ken Whatley (Chairman), Rose Brooks, Alice Hendrick, John Hutton, Penny Inglehart, Gordon Lake, Laurie Lloyd, Derek Model, John Morse, Jeff Sinclair, Eileen Scutter, and our three local borough councillors. We are still looking for a treasurer. If you are interested in the job please give me a ring on 07971 716254.

  • The Community Forum has accepted an invitation from The Star, Park Street to attend a skittles evening on May 23, 7.30pm. Teams will be made up on the night, £1 entry.

It was so good to see in the Echo that four young lads who sprayed graffiti in the Park District have been fined and made by the police to clean up the wall and pay to repaint it. The Community Forum fully supports the police and courts in this action.

  • AT the Melcombe Regis Pact meeting on April 1, the following three priorities were highlighted that were causing residents concern, fly tipping, dangerous cycling and mobility scooters.

All residents should report instances of fly tipping to the Council on 838273. The council will go through these bags to determine ownership and will fine the resident if evidence is found. Similarly with dog mess, we need to stop these uncaring owners from ruining our neighbourhood by reporting them to the dog warden, Ian Lewis on 838432.

Dangerous cycling is increasing with all ages of cyclist ignoring the Highway Code rules.

Our local Safer Neighbourhood Team have been aggressively targeting these cyclists and have handed out fixed penalty fines (£50) to a number of offenders, and soon traffic wardens will be doing the same.

Mobility scooters are causing residents concerns by their driver’s lack of care and attention to other road users and pedestrians.

Rules concerning these scooters are quite complex. The police have produced a guideline sheet detailing the basic requirements and we are handing these out at our meetings and outreaches and plan to contact the scooter hire centres with our concerns.

To help with this problem the Waterside Weymouth Community Forum in conjunction with the Weymouth and Portland Partnership will be holding ‘Wheels in Motion’ on Friday, June 26 at the Park Community Centre, Chelmsford Street. Two sessions are planned at 10am and 1pm. All welcome. A free lunch will be provided for both groups. We will be checking the mobility scooters to make sure that they comply with the law and are safe to use. We will also have a fun obstacle course for persons to test their skill. The Forum expects to have lots of participants so it would be best to book by leaving a message on 839579.

  • We have an ongoing priority with houses of multiple occupancy (bedsits flats etc) with the anti-social behaviour from some tenants causing major distress to residents and neighbours.

We have recently had a meeting with interested parties and our MP Jim Knight who has promised to take the matter further and hold further meetings with council officials to find a way forward.

  • IF you have any neighbourhood issues that are concerning you, please come to our next Pact meeting on June 3, 7pm at Weymouth College, Cranford Avenue.

THE Forum held a successful quiz night on May 9, so much so that we are running another on Saturday, June 13, 7pm. The cost is £3.50 per person including refreshments. You are quite welcome to bring your own drinks. Four to make a team, but if you are on your own we can make up teams on the night. For details ring Lawrence on 839579.

  • LAST year the Forum was pleased to host a play The Voyage from the Off the Wall Theatre Ensemble and I am pleased to say they are returning with another play entitled Simple Justice on Saturday, June 20, 7.30pm.

Basically the play centres a round the problem of the accusations of witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts, looking more at the reasons behind the accusations and Elizabeth Proctor's treatment.

Tickets £5, available from the Park Community Centre or telephone 259308 or 813279. They will also be available on the night at the door.