Volunteers.... Thank you.

Sorry another short blog this week. Not a huge amount to write about  as I have been off work with a shoulder problem.
Thanks to the SWAST Staying Well Service and referral for physiotherapy I am  now on the mend.

On a sad note the death of Labour MP Joe Cox has shaken democracy in this country. My thoughts are withe her family and friends at his distressing time.

This week has shown how variable the British weather can be with torrential rain and flooding around the country whilst areas have basked in high temperatures. Locally 25mm of rain fell in 20 minutes leading to localised flooding.

This weekend sees lots of events in Poole and Bournemouth ranging from Muddy runs, Race for life to Harry Paye day on the Quay at Poole. These events aim to raise funds for charities and a heart felt thanks must go out to all those help organise these events and volunteer their time. Many of the volunteers you will see collecting funds , marshalling at he sharp end. Please don't forget all those who also work hard behind the scenes away from the limelight , their role is just as important. Thank you to all those who give up their time to support charities and organisations

Those of you who have read my blogs before can probably guess where this is going!
 Yes that's right; why not give up some of your spare time  to volunteer for a charity that you feel strongly about and want to support. There are all sorts of skills that these charities can use and not just at the front end collecting or delivering the service. To quote the BBC "Do some thing amazing...."

This coming week also means as a country we will be deciding our EU future. This is not a politically motivated blog but please ensure you vote. Its no good moaning about the outcome if you don't take part.

Have a good week and hopefully some more exciting things to report next week.

Just a thought

Just a brief blog this week, as I write this England have played and drawn their first match in the Euro 2016 tournament, the French police have won all three of their encounters with fans.

It is sad that the first three days have been marred by the clashes between fans and the police. This seems to happening across France and does not seem to be limited to one set of fans.

This road safety ad offers great advice, however has drawn critics as it seems to advocate getting behind the wheel after one drink is OK. As part of the emergency services response that deal with the aftermath of drink and more increasinly drug driving I will always advocate zero alcohol, drugs and driving.

Let's hope the issues in France with fans settle down and everyone stays safe. If you are a footy fan enjoy the tournament if not hopefully this nice weather will stay around.

Whatever you are doing stay safe and look after each other.

Deer

A little bit of a diversion from my normal blog this week. Out side of work I am a keen walker and wildlife photographer. Luckily where I live I can indulge myself in both normally at the same time.
I have a particular interest  in the  Sika Deer of the Poole Harbour Basin and spend a lot of time photographing them. I thought I would share a few pictures with you.

     A Sika hind in winter coat

A white Sika stag. 

These are leucistic not albino, it is only there coats which have changed. 

They can be found in certain places around the Poole Harbour Basin.

A full grown Sika stag in all his glory           

Another Leucistic stag.

It is believed all of the Sika deer locally are descended from a captive group which escaped from a deer park near Wareham. They are now a common sight around the Purbecks.